Peppers gets pick 6 in Packers win

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Linebacker Julius Peppers returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown, Aaron Rodgers threw for three scores and Green Bay routed the Vikings 42-10 Thursday night.

Eddie Lacy ran for a season-high 105 yards and two TDs. Jordy Nelson hauled in a 66-yard touchdown catch, and the Packers held their NFC North rivals scoreless for three quarters.

The Packers led 28-0 after the first half played in a light rain. They essentially toyed with Minnesota the rest of the way.

Peppers had the highlight-reel play in the second quarter after picking off a pass over the middle from Christian Ponder, who was hit by tackle Luther Robinson as he released the throw.

The 34-year-old Peppers veered left across the field and waited for blocks before chugging the final 10 yards along the sideline to make it 21-0 with 7:06 left in the second. Peppers, the Packers' prized free agent acquisition, stopped for a second in the end zone before safety Morgan Burnett came up and pointed at the stands. Peppers took his first Lambeau Leap.

Peppers became the first player in NFL history with 100 sacks and 10 interceptions.

The Vikings finally broke the shutout on Ponder's 6-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. But they still trailed 42-7.

Ponder, a former Florida State star who started with rookie Teddy Bridgewater out with a sprained left ankle, is Minnesota's third starter of the year. Matt Cassel is out with a broken left foot.

Deion says 49ers want Harbaugh out: NFL Network analyst and Hall of Fame player Deion Sanders said he stands by his report that 49ers players want coach Jim Harbaugh out. During the NFL Network's Sunday pregame show, Sanders said several unnamed players had told him they wanted Harbaugh replaced. Sanders reiterated the story during Thursday's pregame show. "I have sources that wear football uniforms, coats, suits and ties. I didn't stutter, nor did I stammer. This is real," Sanders said. "You can shoot the messenger, but the message is real."

Draft moves: The 2015 draft will be held April 30-May 2 at Auditorium Theatre of Roose­velt University in Chicago. The draft has been held for decades at Radio City Music Hall in New York but was held in Chicago in 1938, 1942-44, 1951 and 1962-64.

Cardinals: A visit to a spine specialist confirmed what already had been diagnosed: quarterback Carson Palmer has a "dead" nerve in his throwing shoulder. Palmer visited the specialist Wednesday, and he said Thursday that no structural damage was detected. "No surgery," he said. "It's not career-ending, it's not season-ending, nothing like that. So that was all positive." Palmer has not officially been ruled out of Sunday's game at Denver, but all signs point to Drew Stanton making his third straight start.

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cowboys: C.J. Spillman practiced a day after his name surfaced in a sexual assault investigation. Not far away, Josh Brent was in a weight room working out on an exercise bike. America's team is in the midst of an unusual public relations nightmare, with owner Jerry Jones embroiled in a sexual assault lawsuit even as he steadfastly supports Brent, who is back after his arrest two years ago in a drunken-driving crash that killed a teammate. The Cowboys are also standing behind Spillman, with coach Jason Garrett saying the special teams player will remain active because he hasn't been arrested or charged in a police investigation into his role in a reported assault last month at a suburban Dallas hotel. "We've been very clear with our team about consequences that there will be if there is a situation where charges or arrests are made for a crime," Garrett said. "That doesn't apply in this particular case." League spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL has been "looking into the matter and will continue to do so."

49ers: The Santa Clara District Attorney's Office said it has received the domestic violence case involving defensive lineman Ray McDonald. The office made the announcement on Twitter. "Prosecutors will review, decide whether or not to file criminal charges, or seek further investigation," the announcement said. McDonald, a former Gator, was arrested on Aug. 31 on suspicion of domestic violence while celebrating his 30th birthday at his home. He has continued to practice and play.

Raiders: Receiver Rod Streater will miss at least the next eight weeks after being placed on the injured reserve list with a designation to return. He had surgery on the foot he broke Sept. 21. Streater will be eligible to return to practice Nov. 13 and can play again starting on Nov. 30.