Saints extend Eagles’ woes
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy in the wake of the infamous bounty scandal, got some respectability back with a 28-13 victory over stumbling Philadelphia. Both teams are 3-5.
Drew Brees tossed a pair of TD passes to give him 303 for his career. Brees has now thrown TD passes in 51 straight games, extending his NFL record. Patrick Robinson returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown — the longest interception return in the NFL this season.
The Saints defense allowed more than 400 yards for its eighth straight game. But New Orleans’ defensive line proved better than the Eagles woeful offensive line and sacked Philly QB Michael Vick seven times.
The Eagles had first-and-goal four times and managed only two field goals by Alex Henery.
Colts coach Pagano receives great news
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The doctor for Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano says his leukemia is in remission.
Dr. Larry Cripe tells The Associated Press that Pagano’s white blood cell count was normal and his bone marrow showed no indication of the disease.
Interim coach Bruce Arians says the 5-3 Colts hoped to have Pagano back on the sideline for their regular-season finale Dec. 30. Pagano spoke to his players before and after Sunday’s 23-20 victory over Miami.
Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia Sept. 26.
Chiefs Crennel removes himself as D-coordinator
UNDATED (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel has relieved himself of duties as defensive coordinator.
Crennel had been juggling head coaching and coordinator duties since taking over on an interim basis when Todd Haley was fired last December. Crennel announced Monday that Gary Gibbs would become defensive coordinator and he would spend more time with the entire team.
The 1-7 Chiefs also waived starting cornerback Stanford Routt and signed defensive tackle Shaun Smith.
In other NFL news:
— New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and several of his players are among thousands of New Jersey residents still without power in their homes in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Ryan said Monday as the team returned from its bye week that his home in Summit has yet to get power back. He recognizes he is in the same situation as many others in the area recovering from the hurricane and its aftermath.
— Tennessee owner Bud Adams plans to evaluate everyone from the front office to the coaches to the players over the final seven games after the Titans lost 51-20 to Chicago, the most points allowed since a 59-0 loss to New England in 2009. He told The Tennessean newspaper his Titans were “grossly outcoached and outplayed from start to finish.”
— Oakland Raiders running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both have high ankle sprains that leave their status in doubt for Sunday’s game against Baltimore.
Allen hits milestone in Heat victory…T-Wolves rally from 22 down
UNDATED (AP) —LeBron James had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Dwyane (dwayn) Wade scored 22 points and the Miami Heat walloped the Phoenix Suns 124-99. The 3-1 Heat are averaging 111.8 points per game to open the NBA season.
Chris Bosh finished with 18 points and Ray Allen had 15 for Miami. Allen became the 24th player in NBA history to eclipse the 23,000-point mark when he made a free throw with 1:01 left in the third quarter.
Shannon Brown led Phoenix with 18 points off the bench.
In other NBA action:
— The New York Knicks are 3-0 for the first time since the 1999-2000 NBA season. Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and JR Smith had 17 to lead the Knicks to a 110-88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
__ Minnesota rookie guard Alexey Shved and Chase Budinger led a furious rally from 22 points down, and the Minnesota Timberwolves came back from a 22-point deficit to stun the Brooklyn Nets 107-96.
— Zach Randolph had 16 points and 18 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 22 points and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz 103-94.
— Gary Neal scored 17 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Indiana Pacers 101-79. The 4-0 Spurs set a franchise record for best start to a season.
— O.J. Mayo scored 32 points, his second consecutive 30-point game at home, and the Dallas Mavericks used a fourth-quarter surge for a 114-91 victory over Portland.
— DeMarcus Cousins scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings held off the Golden State Warriors 94-92 to avoid an 0-4 start.
__ The Cleveland Cavaliers posted their first road win of the season by beating the L.A. Clippers, 108-101. Dion Waiters, the rookie out of Syracuse, led the Cavs with 28.
K-State coach Snyder hopes Klein plays vs TCU
UNDATED (AP) — Kansas State coach Bill Snyder is hopeful injured quarterback Collin Klein will be available for next Saturday’s game at TCU.
The Heisman Trophy candidate was hurt during the third quarter of the No. 3 Wildcats’ 44-30 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday. Snyder did not discuss the nature or severity of the injury, but all indications point toward a possible concussion.
When asked about Klein on Monday, Snyder replied: “Seems fine to me.” And when asked whether he’ll play against the Horned Frogs, Snyder said: “Hope so.”