JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars must have been in a hurry to end their two-game losing streak.
The Jaguars scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions, quickly rebounding from consecutive losses and beating the New York Jets 41-0 on Sunday.
Maurice Drew ran for two touchdowns, Fred Taylor added another and Byron Leftwich capped the fast start with a 1-yard TD pass to George Wrighster.
The Jets (2-3) provided plenty of help along the way.
Chad Pennington threw two interceptions that Jacksonville (3-2) turned into touchdowns, Ben Graham had a punt blocked that resulted in a score and two questionable roughing the passer penalties made it even worse.
The result was exactly what the Jaguars wanted after losses at Indianapolis and Washington. The offense, almost nonexistent in the second half against the Colts, came up with several big plays against New York's woeful defense. Jacksonville's defense, embarrassed after giving up 481 yards and 36 points to the Redskins, clamped down on Pennington & Co.
Pennington finished 10-of-17 for 71 yards. He was picked off three times and sacked three times. His friend and former college teammate fared much better in their third meeting. Leftwich was 9-of-20 for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Leftwich had the better supporting cast, too. Taylor ran 21 times for 111 yards, and Drew added 59 yards.
Jacksonville also won despite resting receiver Matt Jones (ankle) and defensive linemen Marcus Stroud (ankle/groin) and Marcellus Wiley (groin). Full story
Panthers 20, Browns 12
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cleveland's banged-up secondary held its own against Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson. Trouble was, the Browns had no answer for Carolina's defense.
Julius Peppers had a sack, forced a fumble and hit quarterback Charlie Frye five other times and Richard Marshall returned an interception for a touchdown.
Al Wallace also had a sack for Carolina (3-2), which held the Browns to 98 yards rushing in winning its third straight game.
Frye was 26-of-43 for 173 yards and two interceptions, the last by Mike Minter at the Carolina 14 with 2 minutes left that iced it.
Peppers, who came in tied for the league-lead with five sacks, constantly hounded Frye and the Browns, who managed only four field goals by Phil Dawson.
The Browns (1-4) played without both of their starting cornerbacks. Gary Baxter missed his third straight game with injured chest muscle, while Leigh Bodden was scratched after spraining his ankle in last week's win over Oakland.
Niners 34, Raiders 20
SAN FRANCISCO -- Arnaz Battle caught two touchdown passes from Alex Smith, and San Francisco overcame Randy Moss' 100th career TD reception with a strong second half in a victory over winless Oakland.
Frank Gore rushed for a career-high 134 yards and third-string running back Maurice Hicks scored on a 33-yard screen pass for the rebuilding 49ers (2-3), who scored 24 straight points after halftime to roll past their cross-water rivals in just the iconic franchises' 11th regular-season meeting.
Such a rare occasion should be cause for excitement in the Bay Area, where pro football is the most popular sport. But these bragging rights aren't worth much.
