GLENDALE, Ariz. — Never before had an NFL team started a game with a kickoff return for a score, then ended it with a blocked punt in overtime for a touchdown.

It was that kind of crazy day in the desert.

J.J. Arrington, inactive the first four games of the season, opened things up with a 93-yard return for an Arizona score.

Several comebacks and many clutch plays later, Sean Morey blocked Mat McBriar’s punt, then Monty Beisel scooped up the ball and scored from 3 yards to give the Cardinals a wild 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

It was the first time in NFL history that a blocked punt for a touchdown ended a game in overtime.

“I can’t remember one that was this crazy,” Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner said, “especially toward the end.”

Morey rushed untouched off the left side of the Dallas line to block the kick. Beisel, a backup linebacker, picked up the ball at about the 3 and bowled over the goal line.

Morey said that in previous punts, his assignment was to double-team Dallas’ Kevin Burnett to set up the return. But this time, Burnett had been moved from tackle to guard.

“They just had new personnel,” Morey said, “so I figured if I have to block the tackle, and the tackle’s not going to block me, then I’m just going to make a play at the end of the game.”

McBriar was hurt on the play and had to be carted off the field in the din of a crowd that included the usual large portion of Dallas fans.

Dallas (4-2) scored 10 points in the final 2 minutes of regulation, sending the game into overtime when Nick Folk’s 52-yard field goal barely cleared the crossbar as the fourth quarter ended.

“It was almost a miracle finish for us,” Dallas coach Wade Phillips said.

Almost isn’t good enough when you’re the Cowboys, who thus far haven’t been the dominating team many expected them to be.

“This season isn’t going to go straight down this narrow path and be a nice and cozy Sunday drive,” Dallas quarterback Tony Romo said.

Folk was in field-goal range only because a 5-yard offside penalty was called against injured Arizona linebacker Travis LaBoy as he tried to limp downfield. The penalty moved the ball from the 40 to the 35.

That was just one of the weird moments in Arizona’s sixth consecutive home victory.

“It didn’t seem like the bounces or the calls were going our way and sometimes you have to overcome those things,” said Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, whose team is 9-2 at home since he became coach. “I think our team did that. That’s part of growing up and getting mentally tougher.”

Also on Sunday:

Packers 27

Seahawks 17

SEATTLE — Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay’s ailing quarterback, ran for a touchdown early, then threw two scoring passes in the second half to perhaps save the Packers’ season. Seattle paid for having to start No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye. It looked inept on offense while dropping to 1-4 — the equal of the St. Louis Rams at the bottom of the NFC West the Seahawks have ruled the last four seasons. Seattle was last 1-4 in 2002, its most recent losing season. Rodgers, again starting despite a sprained throwing shoulder, was 21 for 30 with 208 yards as Green Bay (3-3) won for the 10th time in 13 road games.

Rams 19

Redskins 17

LANDOVER, Md. — Josh Brown kicked a 49-yard field goal on the last play of the game, giving St. Louis an upset of the Redskins to end an eight-game losing streak over two seasons. Jim Haslett was a winner in his St. Louis (1-4) head coaching debut. The Redskins (4-2) overcame a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit and appeared set to win their fifth straight game when Clinton Portis’ 2-yard run with 3:47 left gave Washington a 17-16 lead. But Marc Bulger hit Donnie Avery down the right sideline for a 43-yard gain on third-and-13 to move into field goal territory.

Texans 29

Dolphins 28

HOUSTON — Matt Schaub threw interceptions on Houston’s first two possessions, but ran for a 3-yard touchdown with 3 seconds left. The Dolphins (2-3) had knocked down consecutive passes in the end zone before Schaub ran for the score. That drive was kept alive when Andre Johnson caught a 23-yard pass on fourth-and-10. Houston (1-4) got its first win in dramatic fashion a week after blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead in a 31-27 loss to the Colts. Ronnie Brown’s 6-yard run with less than 2 minutes remaining had given Miami the lead before Schaub’s heroics.

Falcons 22

Bears 20

ATLANTA — Jason Elam made the most of his second chance, kicking a 48-yard field goal on the final play. Elam appeared to be the goat after hooking a 33-yard attempt wide left with less than 3 minutes left. The Bears took advantage of Elam’s first miss in 31 attempts, quickly driving downfield and going ahead for the first time when Kyle Orton hit Rashied Davis on a 17-yard touchdown with 11 seconds remaining. Robbie Gould booted through the extra point that gave Chicago a 20-19 lead. With many fans heading for the exits, Gould pooched the ensuing kickoff, and Harry Douglas managed a 10-yard return to the Atlanta 44. Rookie Matt Ryan calmly threw a 26-yard pass to Michael Jenkins along the left sideline with 1 second left. After a short delay to allow officials to confirm the replay that Jenkins’ catch was good, Elam made the winning kick.

Vikings 12

Lions 10

MINNEAPOLIS — A questionable pass interference penalty on Leigh Bodden put Minnesota’s woeful offense in position for a 26-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell with 9 seconds to go. Detroit (0-5) outplayed the Vikings for the entire game in a spirited effort, but the Vikings (3-3) got a boost from a call by field judge Mike Weir. Trailing 10-9 in the final 3 minutes, Gus Frerotte threw deep down the sideline for Aundrae Allison, and the ball fell incomplete. But Weir whistled cornerback Bodden for pass interference despite what appeared to be minimal contact.

Buccaneers 27

Panthers 3

TAMPA, Fla. — Jeff Garcia, starting for the first time since the season opener because Brian Griese is injured, threw for 173 yards and a touchdown. Warrick Dunn had his most productive day running the ball since rejoining the Bucs with 115 yards on 22 carries. The victory, Tampa Bay’s first at home against the division rival Panthers since 2002, gave the Bucs (4-2) a share of first place in the NFC South with Carolina (4-2). Rookie Geno Hayes blocked a punt and returned it 22 yards for Tampa Bay’s first touchdown. The defense did its job, too, intercepting Bucs nemesis Jake Delhomme three times.

Colts 31

Ravens 3

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning threw two touchdown passes to Marvin Harrison, a third to Reggie Wayne, and the Colts sputtering offense finally got itself righted, against the Ravens’ top-ranked defense. Harrison caught two touchdown passes in a game for the Colts (3-2) for the first time since 2006. Manning finished 19 for 27 for 271 yards with three touchdowns. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco had three interceptions, lost a fumble and was sacked four times for Baltimore (2-3).

Saints 34

Raiders 3

NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees connected on 87 percent of his throws and passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns as the Saints (3-3) rolled. Oakland’s Tom Cable spent his NFL head coaching debut watching in frustration as JaMarcus Russell completed only 13 of 35 passes for 159 yards, while throwing an interception and fumbling. Reggie Bush scored two touchdowns on a 3-yard run and 15-yard reception. Oakland (1-4) finished with 226 total yards.

Jets 26

Bengals 14

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Thomas Jones ran for two touchdowns, including a 1-yarder late in the game, and caught a pass from Brett Favre for a score. The Jets (3-2) improved to 3-0 in games immediately following a bye under coach Eric Mangini, but this one was far from easy. With New York holding a 20-14 lead late in the game, the Jets needed a 10-play, 41-yard drive by Favre that ate up the clock and sealed the victory over the Bengals (0-6). Favre finished 25 for 33 for 189 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Eagles 40

49ers 26

SAN FRANCISCO — Donovan McNabb passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns without his top two receivers and his best running back, and the Eagles’ aggressive defenders forced three turnovers during a 23-point fourth quarter. Donald Strickland returned a blocked field goal 41 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half for the 49ers (2-4), who went ahead 26-17 in the third quarter. They couldn’t sustain that momentum in their third straight loss against a Philadelphia defense that repeatedly made stunning plays in the final minutes.

Jaguars 24

Broncos 17

DENVER — Playing their best all-around game of the season, the Jaguars got superb performances from quarterback David Garrard and running back Maurice Jones-Drew, plus three takeaways by their defense. Garrard completed 25 of 34 passes for 276 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and Jones-Drew rumbled for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. The Jaguars (3-3) took the second-half kickoff and covered 80 yards in just three plays and 73 seconds with Jones-Drew bolting up the middle untouched for a 46-yard touchdown that put Denver (4-2) in a 17-7 hole.

Chargers 30

Patriots 10

SAN DIEGO — Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers solved their Patriots problem and perhaps saved their season. Rivers threw three touchdown passes and San Diego’s defense stuffed quarterback Matt Cassel on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line to highlight a win over the Patriots. It was a measure of payback against a team that had beaten the Chargers three straight times, including in the playoffs the last two seasons.