Portland Thunder Duane Brooks (4)

(Randy L. Rasmussen/The Oregonian)

Jamar Howard's touchdown with 2:05 remaining, on a New Orleans VooDoo onside kick, completed the Portland Thunder's 62-56 fourth-quarter comeback win.

Eric Rogers caught four touchdown passes for the Thunder (4-10), who move into sole possession of the final playoff spot in the National Conference.

Rogers opened the scoring 4:48 into the first quarter, when he caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Rowley. Rogers, who had seven receptions for 74 yards, has 27 touchdowns in nine games since joining the Thunder.

Portland increased their lead to 14-0 minutes later after Eric Crocker intercepted his team-leading ninth pass from New Orleans quarterback Adam Kennedy, returning the ball 18-yards for the touchdown.

New Orleans was held scoreless until a minute left in the first quarter, when Kennedy completed a six-yard pass on fourth down to receiver Courtney Smith. His 37-yard touchdown pass to Quorey Payne gave New Orleans a 28-27 lead with 21 seconds remaining in the first half.

Kennedy, playing in only his third professional game, completed 18 of 37 passes for five touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for two touchdowns.

"The first half we were playing down to them," Head Coach Matthew Sauk said. "We were leading 20-7. I thought we were going to blow them out at that point. We had to fight back in the second half."

Rowley, who set a team record with 362 passing yards in the Thunder's last game, threw two first half interceptions to New Orleans defensive back Cameron McGlenn. He finished the game completing 22 of 36 passes for 265 yards and seven touchdowns.

"I felt even more comfortable this game," Rowley said. "Our goal is to put up 80 points every game and we're getting closer to that every time...everything seems to be clicking."

Portland's defense featured the return of nose guard Jake McDonough and defensive end Donte Paige-Moss. McDonough left the Thunder five weeks into the season to sign with the New York Jets.