Packers, Colts and Cowboys still perfect

By Simon Evans

MIAMI (Reuters) - The Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts maintained their perfect starts to the NFL season but the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers fell to their first loss on Sunday.

The Packers enjoyed a 23-16 victory at the Minnesota Vikings with quarterback Brett Favre breaking Dan Marino's record for touchdown passes with the 421st of his career.

The Cowboys also made it four out of four with a convincing 35-7 victory in Dallas over the winless St. Louis Rams.

The Indianapolis Colts, the defending Super Bowl champions, won 38-20 against the Denver Broncos with Peyton Manning throwing three touchdowns and rushing for another.

But the Steelers (3-1) to the Arizona Cardinals (2-2), Steve Breaston's 73-yard punt return for a fourth-quarter touchdown sparking a 21-14 victory. Ben Roethlisberger threw both Pittsburgh touchdowns.

Atlanta and Buffalo gained their first wins of the season. Atlanta surprised Houston 26-16 and Buffalo beat the New York Jets 17-14.

The Miami Dolphins's winless start continued with their fourth defeat coming in a 35-17 loss at home to Oakland.

*It was Favre's day in Minnesota, with a 16-yard pass to Greg Jennings in the first quarter breaking Marino's record and then in the fourth quarter he found James Jones to take his career record to 422.

"It was everything I thought it would be," the 37-year-old Favre told reporters when asked about the record-breaking throw. "The most important thing is that we scored and set the tone for the rest of the game. ...

"It had extra meaning not only because of the record but what we've had to do here in the past and what we've overcome," Favre added. "For us to start that way was so important."

Although the Packers suffered a late scare when Sidney Rice scored a touchdown for the Vikings in the fourth quarter on a pass from Kelly Holcomb, they continued their impressive early season form.

*Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was outstanding again, throwing three touchdowns and rushing one in his team's domination of an injury-blighted Rams (0-4).

The Cowboys have a 4-0 record for the first time since 1995-1996 season when they last won the Super Bowl.

*The Colts' win was soured by injuries to Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison and linebacker Rob Morris. Both suffered knee injuries, the Colts said.

*Miami's misery was compounded by a brilliant display from Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper who had a hand in five touchdowns on his return to face the team that released him during the off-season.