The Oakland Raiders earned an emotional victory that would have delighted late owner Al Davis as they beat the Houston Texans 25-20 Sunday while the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots also enjoyed wins on the fifth week of the National Football League season. The outspoken Davis died at age 82 Saturday but the Raiders, wearing “AL” stickers on their helmets, carried out his motto “Just win baby” as Michael Huff grabbed an interception off Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the end zone on the final play. Raiders coach Hue Jackson buried his face in his hands on the sideline while players embraced each other as the game ended. Davis, who had almost 50 years with the Raiders franchise in various roles, was remembered with silence at stadiums across the country. “I know that he would be getting after me right now about the way we played, but he would be happy because we won the game,” Jackson told reporters. Once again Sebastian Janikowski was the spine of the win for the Raiders (3-2), kicking four field goals, three of them from 50 yards or more. In an AFC East divisional clash, the New England Patriots, with BenJarvus Green-Ellis running for a career high 136 yards and two touchdowns, beat the New York Jets 30-21. The victory was the 30th consecutive regular home win for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, an NFL record. The Carolina Panthers, with rookie quarterback Cam Newton scoring three touchdowns (one rushing) and passing for 224 yards, pushed the Saints all the way before losing 30-27. A Greg Olsen touchdown on a five-yard Newton pass put Carolina up 27-23 in the fourth but New Orleans came back with Drew Brees finding Pierre Thomas open on the right for the winning touchdown with 50 seconds to play Despite another encouraging display, the Panthers, who won just twice last year, fall to 1-4. The Buffalo Bills' impressive start continued as they took advantage of four interceptions by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick in a 31-24 win. Fred Jackson rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown for the Bills and also had 85 yards receiving against an Eagles team (1-4) that, after being considered Super Bowl contenders in the pre-season, has now suffered four consecutive defeats. The San Francisco 49ers are also 4-1 after crushing Tampa Bay 48-3. Vernon Davis scored two touchdowns and Frank Gore rushed for 125 yards. In one of Sunday's surprise results, the Seattle Seahawks enjoyed a 36-25 win at the New York Giants. The Minnesota Vikings got their first win of the season, in some style, with running back Adrian Peterson rushing for three touchdowns in the first quarter against Arizona in a 34-10 victory. There is still no victory for the Indianapolis Colts who have been without quarterback Peyton Manning all season and were beaten 28-24 by the Kansas City Chiefs. In other games it was: Cincinnatti 30, Jacksonville 20; Pittsburgh 38, Tennessee 17; San Diego 29, Denver 24; Green Bay 25, Atlanta 14.
