Vikes move atop NFC North...Giants shake off latest Plax distraction

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Vikings took a one-game lead in the NFC North by beating the Chicago Bears 34-14 last night. Gus Frerotte (fur-RAHT') and Bernard Berrian tied an NFL record and set a Vikings record with a 99-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter when the Vikes scored 17 unanswered points to take control.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) The New York Giants shook off the latest distraction from their star receiver and dominated the Washington Redskins 23-7 at FedEx Field. The 11-and-1 Giants won the seventh straight game despite missing receiver Plaxico Burress (BUR'-ihs) as Eli Manning enjoyed his first 300-yard passing game of the season. The Giants opened a three-game lead over Dallas in the NFC East.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) The attorney for Plaxico Burress (BUR'-ihs) says the Giants wide receiver is expected to plead not guilty today in New York to a weapons charge. Burress shot himself in the right thigh Friday night in New York in what the Giants say was an accidental shooting.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos stopped the New York Jets' five-game winning streak 34-17 as the 7-and-5 Broncos showed they are a team to reckon with in the wide-open AFC. Cutler passed for 357 yards and two touchdowns and rookie Peyton Hillis ran for 129 yards at the Meadowlands.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Lane Kiffin will become the University of Tennessee's next coach, two days after Phillip Fulmer's 17-season tenure ended with a disappointing 5-and-7 mark this season. Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders coach, will be introduced at a news conference today.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-01-08 0455CST | save this article / add to your favorites list