New England Patriots 45, Detroit Lions 24

28 unanswered points in the second half propelled the Patriots to 9-2...Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch was dynamite in the second half...Patriots first-round cornerback Devin McCourty is now tied for the rookie lead in interceptions with five.

The quick-strike Patriots were too much for the Lions to handle...Detroit's running game showed signs of improvement on Thursday...Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith was accountable for his mistakes.

New Orleans Saints 30, Dallas Cowboys 27

The Saints won their most thrilling and turbulent game of the season...Saints running back Reggie Bush struggled in his first game back from a broken fibula...Safety Malcolm Jenkins' strip and fumble recovery saved the game for the Saints.

After rallying to come back from a 17-point deficit, yesterday's loss was the Cowboys' best of the season...Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams took the blame for the loss...Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo wants to play again in 2010.

New York Jets 26, Cincinnati Bengals 10

Jets wide receiver/return specialist scored two touchdowns in the second half...Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis proved he's more than just an "average corner"...Jets linebacker Bart Scott says the defense was motivated by media criticism.

For the second time in three seasons, the Bengals have lost eight in a row...Signed 72 hours before kickoff, cornerback Jonathan Wade started and had a rocky first half...The Bengals' schedule doesn't get any easier in Week 13.

NFL News and Notes

Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Donald Jones is playing a larger role in the offense.

Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano isn't ready to say who'll start at quarterback on Sunday.

All the veteran wide receivers on the Baltimore Ravens want their hands on the ball, writes Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace is burning opposing defenses for big plays.

Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository takes a look at Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

Indianapolis Colts players share their thoughts on Thanksgiving.

Tennessee Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon was fined $40,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has been limited by an abdomen injury.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster says Chris Johnson is the standard-bearer at the position in the NFL.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers could miss Sunday's game against Seattle with a hamstring injury.

Denver Broncos linebacker Robert Ayers' return this week will provide a lift to the defense.

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will take fewer passing yards if it means the team is winning.

Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is looking to move on from a disappointing Week 11 performance in Pittsburgh.

Newly signed Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Amon Gordon is looking to lay down some roots, writes Danny O'Neil of The Seattle Times.

Matthew Barrows of The Sacramento Bee looks at why San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary has kept his job.

Arizona Cardinals first-round defensive tackle Dan Williams has kept his weight down.

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Laurent Robinson is working overtime to develop a rapport with Sam Bradford.

Green Bay Packers undrafted rookie linebacker Frank Zombo is a fast learner who rarely makes the same mistake twice, writes Gary D'Amato of the Journal-Sentinel.

Minnesota Vikings interim head coach Leslie Frazier will take steps to protect the team's young cornerbacks.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox is drawing attention from opposing defenses, writes Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune.

New York Giants offensive lineman Shawn Andrews' back pain sent him to the hospital, Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger reports.

If Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel can't play on Sunday, Joselio Hanson would get the start.

Washington Redskins running back Keiland Williams didn't think he'd be starting this late into his rookie season.

Carolina Panthers running back Mike Goodson has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season, writes Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith wants fans inside the Georgia Dome before kickoff.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers seventh round safety Cody Grimm has surprised with his physical play, writes Stephen Holder of The St. Petersburg Times.

Today's NFL birthdays: Cardinals linebacker Paris Lenon (33), Chiefs wide receiver Jerheme Urban (30), Seahawks punter Jon Ryan (29). Free agent guard Toniu Fonoti (29) and wide receiver Bobby Williams (25). Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson (57), offensive lineman Art Shell (64), kicker Jan Stenerud (68), and defensive back Roger Wehrli (63). Retired running back Johnny Hector (50), linebackers Mike Merriweather (50) and Al Smith (46), and kicker Jeff Jaeger (46).