NFL Preseason Capsules: Vick makes brief appearance in 1st start since '06
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Vick has reached the point in his comeback where he doesn't have to prove himself anymore.
The New York Jets beat Philadelphia 21-17 in their preseason finale Thursday night, while Vick led the Eagles to a field goal in two series and Kurt Coleman scored on two fumble returns.
Making his first start in four years, Vick played just one quarter before heading to the bench. He didn't lobby coach Andy Reid to stay in.
"Who wants to be out there in preseason?" Vick said. "I was going to play as long as Andy wanted me out there, but when he pulled me, I was like, 'Yes!'"
Mark Brunell's 51-yard touchdown pass to former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes in the fourth quarter put the Jets (2-2) ahead to stay against the Eagles (2-2).
Neither team used its starters. Kevin Kolb and New York's Mark Sanchez watched from the sideline while backups saw plenty of action and no-name rookies fought for roster spots.
"The offense lit up the scoreboard, both scoreboards," Jets coach Rex Ryan joked, referring to his team's turnovers.
A three-time Pro Bowl quarterback during six seasons with Atlanta, Vick last started on Dec. 31, 2006, against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. He left that game after injuring his ankle on the first play in the third quarter.
Vick missed the next two seasons while serving an 18-month prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring. He signed with the Eagles as a backup last summer, and was used sparingly in Philadelphia's version of the wildcat formation.
With Donovan McNabb gone, Vick enters this season as Kolb's backup. He finished 3 of 5 for 56 yards and ran twice for 11 yards against the Jets. Overall, Vick had a so-so exhibition season, throwing for 189 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.
"I think he's had enough work," Reid said when asked why he didn't keep Vick in for the whole half as originally planned. "He's 30 years old, he's been in the league a long time. He's ready to go."
Brunell hardly needed the tuneup. He's entering his 16th year in the NFL. The lefty was 11 of 17 for 118 yards and two TDs.
Sanchez didn't just watch, he had a chance to call some plays. Both of New York's touchdowns were his calls.
"I thought Mark did really well," Brunell said. "Certainly he has a good feel for the game and made some very smart calls in there, so it was pretty impressive for a young guy."
Coleman, a seventh-round pick, may have solidified his roster spot by being in the right spot twice. He picked up John Conner's fumble and ran 8 yards for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 17-7 lead in the final minute of the first half.
Conner tripped and lost the ball after hitting the ground, but he was not ruled down by contact so the play stood after review.
On the final play of the first quarter, Coleman picked up Joe McKnight's fumble and ran 64 yards untouched to the end zone. McKnight appeared to lose the ball after running into his own lineman.
"He's always around the ball," Reid said of Coleman. "And when he has an opportunity to hit you, he usually makes good contact."
The Jets took a 21-17 lead when Brunell returned for a series and hit Holmes in stride in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
Holmes, the 2009 Super Bowl MVP with Pittsburgh, played because he has to sit out the first four games after being suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Kellen Clemens started the second half for the Jets and drove them into the end zone on his first series. Danny Woodhead's 14-yard TD run got the Jets within 17-14. Clemens came out for a series after it appeared he injured his arm.
Rookie Mike Kafka replaced Vick in the second quarter, and was intercepted by Emanuel Cook on his second attempt. Cook returned it to the Eagles 15, and Brunell tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Jeff Cumberland to cut it to 10-7.
J.J. Arrington returned the opening kickoff 40 yards. Vick then connected with Riley Cooper for 27 yards on the first play, and ran for 11 more on the next two. But the drive stalled at the Jets 11 and David Akers kicked a 29-yard field goal.
Vick's final pass was dropped by Cooper at the Jets 29, forcing the Eagles to punt.
Neither Vick nor Reid wanted to discuss what his role will be during the season. It's likely Vick will see action similar to last year.
"You just have to wait and see," he said with a smile.
Manning, Brady solid in finale tuneup
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Eli Manning and Tom Brady are ready for the season, and so is Rhett Bomar.
Haven't heard of him? Well, he just might be the New York Giants' backup quarterback.
Bomar probably nailed down the job, throwing a 60-yard scoring pass to Duke Calhoun with 1:49 to play as the Giants rallied for a 20-17 victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday night.
"It felt great," said Bomar, who completed 11 of 24 passes for 171 and one interception. "You always want to end the preseason on a good note. It was good to end it like that."
The 25-year-old Bomar assumed the backup job this week when veteran Jim Sorgi was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder problem. However, the Giants' concern was that the second-year pro has never played in a regular-season game, which might work against him if the team decides it wants a veteran to back up Manning.
Against the Patriots, Bomar led the Giants to three scores, including two 24-yard field goals by Lawrence Tynes.
"I went out there and played and not everything was perfect," Bomar said. "But I made some plays and whatever happens, happens."
The winning score came just minutes after Darnell Jenkins put the Patriots ahead 17-12 by catching a short pass from Brian Hoyer and turning it into a 66-yard scoring play with one move and a burst of speed.
The winner came on a 16-yard in route. Calhoun, a free agent from Memphis, caught the ball in stride, made a defender miss and scored. Gartrell Johnson ran for a 2-point conversion.
Calhoun was still holding the ball in the locker room after the game.
"I was glad to have the opportunity," said Calhoun, who remains a long shot to make the team. "When my number was called, I did the best I could to make a play."
The good news for both teams was they came out of the preseason finale relatively healthy.
New England (2-2) will host Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 12. The Giants (2-2) will open at home against Carolina in their new $1.6 billion stadium.
Manning and Brady looked good in their final tuneups.
Manning (7 of 9 for 91 yards) and Brady (4 of 8 for 51 yards) each threw a touchdown pass on his first series. Manning's touchdown covered 13 yards to tight end Kevin Boss and capped a nine-play, 86-yard drive after the opening kickoff.
"It's good to end the preseason on a good note," Manning said. "You're going to go through some ups and downs in the preseason. Not everything is going to work. You don't get a lot of series, so it was good to end on a good note tonight."
A 55-yard return by Thomas Clayton on the ensuing kickoff set up an eight-play drive that Brady capped with a 5-yard touchdown toss to tight end Rob Gronkowski.
"We converted a third down, got a big play," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "It was nice to see us move the ball, not like it was last week."
The Patriots also got a 46-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski just before halftime for a 10-9 lead.
There have been questions about both defenses coming into the season and they struggled early. In fact, both looked overmatched on the opponent's first series.
The Patriots, who gave up 36 points in a loss to St. Louis, saw the Giants produce five plays of at least 11 yards on the first of only two drives with Manning at the helm.
"Overall, we had our ups and downs," Belichick said. "The team has worked hard. I think they're ready to go. They competed well for the most part on a day-in, day-out basis."
New York's defense, which looked feeble in a loss to Baltimore and its no-huddle offense last week, was able to stop the Patriots' running game, But the Giants could not put much pressure on Brady, who even had tight end Alge Crumpler drop the ball on a potential big gain.
Giants linebacker Michael Boley has no doubts about the defense.
"I think we took a step forward," Boley said. "We did give up a touchdown on the opening drive and that is something we have to work on. But I have no doubts. I know we will get better between now and Game 1."
Brady helped set up Tynes' first field goal, putting a long pass to Randy Moss up for grabs late in the quarter. Safety Antrel Rolle intercepted and returned it 28 yards.
The game had some interesting moments. After Tynes gave New York a 12-10 lead late in the third quarter, the Giants stopped the Patriots three times from their 1-yard line.
Hoyer and Jenkins, however, turned a short look-in into a long touchdown pass with less than 5 minutes to play.
"This was the last game for guys to be evaluated," said Jenkins after making five catches for 91 yards. "I did all that I could do. The decision is with the organization. This game was a plus, but it is what it is."
Calhoun then took advantage of a missed tackle on his short pass to give the Giants the win and prevent them from heading into the regular season on a three-game losing streak.
-- Tom Canavan
Rookie QB Hall has big game against 'Skins scrubs
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — If the Arizona Cardinals find themselves in need of a backup quarterback, Max Hall believes he can do the job.
The undrafted rookie from BYU made a strong case on Thursday night for at least making the Arizona roster, completing 7 of 9 passes for 126 yards and scoring on a 6-yard run in the Cardinals' 20-10 victory over Washington, although the performance came against a Redskins team made up almost entirely of reserves.
"Hopefully the coaches liked what they saw," Hall said. "I want to be here. I like it here, so hopefully they'll keep me around."
Derek Anderson, starting for the second week in a row ahead of Matt Leinart, played one series, completing 2 of 3 for 47 yards for Arizona. Leinart played the next two series, going 3 of 5 for 14 yards.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't officially announced a starter, but certainly all signs point to Anderson.
Anderson said his chemistry with the starters has improved.
"The more you play with guys, the more you understand their body language and start to get a little comfort level," he said. "I think that showed tonight."
For the second game in a row, Albert Haynesworth played extensively at the end of a preseason that had featured a battle of wills with coach Mike Shanahan. Haynesworth, who had three tackles and one assist, didn't talk to reporters after the game.
"He has to get in football shape. We have to get him some playing time," Shanahan said. "That is one of the reasons he was playing defensive end and nose tackle. We have to get him in as good as he can possibly be in football shape and there is only one to do it and that is to practice and play."
Leinart, expected to replace the retired Kurt Warner when training camp began, started the first two preseason games. A week ago, though, coach Ken Whisenhunt made the surprising announcement that Anderson would start against the Bears in Chicago. Both quarterbacks threw touchdown passes in that game, won by Arizona 14-9.
After practice Monday, Leinart complained to reporters that he had outplayed Anderson and didn't know what else he could do to deserve the starting job. He said the problem with Whisenhunt is "probably away from football."
That led to a meeting Tuesday afternoon between the disgruntled quarterback and coach and a flurry of reports that the Cardinals were making calls about possible trades for Leinart and might even release the Heisman Trophy winner. If that's the case, Hall said he believes he could do the job.
"I'm very comfortable in doing that," he said. "I've got a long ways to go before I'll be successful as a starter in this league, but I feel comfortable to be a backup and to keep learning and get some opportunities to play once in a while and prepare myself for the future."
The Cardinals managed one first down in Leinart's two series. He was not available to talk to reporters afterward.
Whisenhunt was asked if he could feel good about Leinart as a backup going into the season after what has transpired the last few days.
"Well, no one's said he's our backup yet," Whisenhunt said. "That's something that I want to sit down with a lot of guys on our team and have discussions about where we think that's going to fit in."
As was the case in Shanahan's days with Denver, his main players took the fourth preseason game off, including quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman. Richard Bartel and John Beck split time at quarterback. Bartel threw 21 yards to Terrence Austin on the first play of the fourth quarter for Washington's lone touchdown.
Hall relieved Leinart with eight minutes left in the first half and directed 12-play, 81-yard scoring drive, culminated by Alfonso Smith's 3-yard TD run.
The first time the Cardinals had the ball in the second half, Hall led team 48 yards in 10 plays before Jay Feeley kicked a 28-yard field goal.
On Hall's final series, Arizona went four plays in 47 yards. Hall scored on a 6-yard run, holding the ball over the pylon with his left hand for the score.
John Skelton, Arizona's fifth-round pick out of Fordham, finished off the game at quarterback.
Willie Parker had a 13-yard run and a 15-yard reception on Washington's first possession. Graham Gano's 40-yard field goal was nullified by a holding penalty, then he kicked a 50-yarder to tie it at 3.
NOTES: Arizona cornerback Michael Adams left the game with a strained shoulder. ... Before the game, the Redskins listed 29 players as not expected to play, the Cardinals five. ... Washington signed Beck to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
-- Bob Baum
Brees, Johnson watch as Titans down Saints 27-24
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Johnson wore a visor and T-shirt and stayed busy as Tennessee's top cheerleader.
Drew Brees and Reggie Bush limited their dress rehearsal to putting on their New Orleans' uniforms and pregame warmup before watching from the sideline all night long.
Alvin Pearman's 5-yard touchdown with 3:18 left helped the Titans beat the Saints 27-24 on Thursday night in the preseason finale where both teams thought of safety first for their key stars.
Vince Young tossed a TD, LeGarrette Blount also ran for a score and Rob Bironas kicked two field goals for Tennessee (2-2).
New Orleans looked ahead to the NFL's regular-season opener on Sept. 9 when the defending Super Bowl champs host the Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre. Coach Sean Payton gave Brees and Bush plenty of company on the safety of the sideline by subbing out for most of his starters.
"Everyone around this team understands the position that we're in, understands that we have a special group here and understands that we have to protect it at all costs," Bush said.
The clock on their game week already has started now with Payton having to make final roster cuts and worry about the health of another running back. Chris Ivory had four carries for 5 yards before hurting a knee, and Payton said only that they will know about the running back Friday.
"Obviously, we've got a lot to do in a short period of time when we get back," Payton said.
Harry Coleman recovered the ball off the first of two blocked punts for a TD, and Chase Daniel had a 35-yard TD pass to Adrian Arrington for New Orleans (2-2). Daniel tried to pull out the victory, but his pass to Tyler Lorenzen was intercepted by Gerald McRath in the final seconds.
Johnson worked out before the doors opened, running stadium steps and later signed autographs as a healthy scratch. Tennessee starters such as receivers Justin Gage (right thumb) and Nate Washington (left wrist) and starting left guard Leroy Harris (ankle) also were kept out to heal up their nagging injuries before the Titans' opener Sept. 12 against Oakland.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he told Johnson before last week's loss at Carolina he wouldn't play in this game. The running back spent the past week concentrating on his diet, lifting weights and conditioning.
The goal?
"Get him in the best shape he's been in before the opener in his career," Fisher said.
With so many of the Saints' starters out on defense, that might be why the Titans rolled up 222 yards rushing even without the All-Pro running back who had 2,006 yards last season. Javon Ringer, an All-American at Michigan State in 2008, had 64 yards on four carries. Samkon Gado, a late add during camp, ran for 63 yards and Blount finished with 57.
They finished with 466 yards total offense, and Fisher liked what he saw.
"If you take into consideration who was out there, you could justify and say, 'Well, you couldn't have done this with that group or this group.' The bottom line is when you hand the ball off, you should make plays and we did. We moved piles ...," Fisher said. "We've got a lot of tough decisions to make over the next couple days."
Patrick Ramsey got the start for the Saints, trying to beat out Daniel for the job backing up Brees. He had been on the Titans' roster once, and they looked at him again in the spring before deciding to sign Chris Simms. He drove the Saints 53 yards before settling for a 45-yard field goal by Hartley — the first points Tennessee had given up in the first quarter this preseason.
Ramsey finished 11 of 16 for 98 yards. He was sacked twice. Daniel was 10 of 18 for 137 yards.
"I did the best I could," Ramsey said. "We'll see where it falls."
The Titans opened with a three-and-out. Johnson's backup, Ringer, then showed he can run, too. He broke off a 47-yard run before being tackled by Patrick Robinson.
Young capped the 89-yard drive with a 7-yard dart to Bo Scaife and a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Johnson, in his role as cheerleader for the night, met his teammates with high-fives as they came off the field. That marked the end of the game for Young, too.
The Saints went up 10-7 when Junior Galette easily beat Titans safety Nick Schommer and blocked Brett Kern's punt. The ball bounced before Coleman collected it just before the goal line and scored the touchdown in the second quarter.
Jimmy Graham blocked another punt by Kern in the fourth quarter, but the Saints had to settle for Hartley's third field goal to make it 20-16.
Notes: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas also hurt a foot. Payton said further information on injuries would be available Friday. ... Tennessee has played only Dallas more often in the preseason, but the Saints still lead 14-12-1. ... Fisher now is 34-30 in the preseason in his career.
-- Teresa M. Walker
Bengals edge Colts 30-28 in preseason finale
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cedric Peerman made the kind of play a fourth-string running back needs to get his coach's attention in the final preseason game.
His 93-yard touchdown run in the third quarter helped the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Indianapolis Colts 30-28 on Thursday night.
Peerman burst up the middle, then got loose down the right sideline on a second-and-10 just as the relatively quiet Indianapolis crowd started getting into the game. The score gave the Bengals a 13-6 lead.
Peerman finished with 100 yards rushing and had a 50-yard kickoff return. His touchdown run made the kind of mark he was hoping to leave.
"That shows the speed we know he's got," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "That was the thing Cedric had coming out of Virginia a year ago. It kind of got him elevated in the draft. We know he can do it. He's been an impressive guy for us."
Jordan Palmer completed 10 of 14 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns for the Bengals (3-2). Starting quarterback Carson Palmer played for one possession, which netted a field goal.
Lewis said his mission was accomplished.
"To sum it up, we had an opportunity to look at the guys that we wanted to look at," he said. "It was a close game throughout, and everytime the Colts were able to score, we went back and answered, which was a good thing. I think the only negative that I'd like to clean up was on special teams."
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning didn't play, and most of Indy's starters took the night off. Curtis Painter got the start and completed nine of 20 passes for 114 yards. Backup Tom Brandstater completed 10 of 18 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns, all to rookie Brandon James.
It's the sixth winless preseason in Colts history. They last failed to win a preseason game in 2005, then finished with the league's best record in the regular season.
It was a marked change in fortunes for Indy's offense. The Colts had scored on only three of 26 possessions led by backup quarterbacks heading into Thursday's game. Colts coach Jim Caldwell has been committed to Painter as Manning's backup, but Brandstater has outperformed him statistically.
"The big thing is being able to put it in the end zone, and I thought Brandstater did a good job of that," Caldwell said.
Blair White had seven catches for 132 yards for the Colts. The rookie from Michigan State doesn't know if he can break into Indy's crowded receiving corps.
"You prepare for the worst in this business because you never know what's going to happen," he said. "I've been trying to put myself through that and my mind through that, and whatever happens, happens."
James finished with four catches for 56 yards and had two kickoff returns for 35 yards.
Mike Nugent opened the scoring with a 52-yard field goal, capping a nine-play drive for the Bengals. A key play was a 12-yard completion from Palmer to Chad Ochocinco on a third-and-4 from the Cincinnati 49.
The Bengals got a short field on their next possession after Quan Cosby returned a punt 28 yards to the Indianapolis 42. Dave Rayner ended it with a 39-yard field goal to give Cincinnati a 6-0 lead.
The Colts put together their first threat of the game in the second quarter. A quick pass from Painter to White on a third-and-1 turned into a 52-yard catch-and-run. Adam Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal to put the Colts on the board with 4:32 left in the first half.
Vinatieri's 36-yard field goal tied it at 6 with 53 seconds left in the first half.
On the possession after Peerman's big run, Jordan Palmer threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jerome Simpson to give the Bengals a 20-6 lead.
Brandstater tossed a perfect pass over a defender to James for a 26-yard touchdown that cut Cincinnati's lead to 20-13. The two connected again on a 23-yard TD pass, and then on a 2-point conversion pass to cut Cincinnati's lead to 23-21 with 6:28 to play.
Cincinnati scored on its next offensive play as Palmer fired a 50-yard touchdown pass to Dezmon Briscoe to push the lead back to 30-21.
Brandstater rallied the Colts again, finding James in the end zone for the third time, this time from 4 yards out, to cut Cincinnati's lead to 30-28 with 1:39 to play.
Indy lost its sixth straight preseason game dating to last season, but Caldwell still was positive afterward.
"I'm excited about where we are," he said. "We certainly have been improving all along, getting a little bit better. Overall, I think we made good progress."
Notes: The Colts entered looking to find a favorite for the kickoff return job, but no one stood out. Ray Fisher had three for 75 yards, Devin Moore had two for 45 and Brandon James had two for 35. ... The Bengals haven't named a starting kicker since letting Shayne Graham go in the offseason. Nugent made field goals from 52 and 34 yards, and an extra point, while Rayner made a 39-yard field goal and two extra points. ... The Colts allowed 40 points per game in the preseason.
-- Cliff Brunt
Jaguars beat Falcons 13-9 in preseason finale
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez wore shorts and T-shirts on the sideline. So did David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker.
They had plenty of company, too.
Atlanta and Jacksonville rested most of their starters and all their stars during Thursday night's preseason finale, giving backups a final chance to make an impression.
No one really stood out.
Fullback Brock Bolen scored on a 16-yard run, Josh Scobee kicked two field goals and the Jaguars beat the Falcons 13-9.
"We've got a lot of things we've got to correct," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Preseason is for evaluating players, but it's also for working on new things schematically that you want to integrate into your offense and defense and special teams for the upcoming season. We've got a lot of things we've got to get better at."
The teams exposed just a few starters to the preseason finale, with Smith and Jack Del Rio preferring to save them for next weekend's season openers.
It showed. The Falcons converted just one of their first nine third-down plays. The Jaguars had a measly 100 yards in the first half.
Atlanta's Chris Redman started in place of Ryan and completed 15 of 22 passes for 142 yards in the first half. Jerious Norwood ran four times for 31 yards. The Falcons were 0 for 3 in the red zone.
"I thought we moved it pretty well," Redman said. "But obviously you need to score when you get down there and we fell short a couple of times. ... We just have to learn how to finish drives."
Jacksonville's Luke McCown replaced Garrard and completed 5 of 12 passes for 39 yards in the first half. His numbers would have been better if Tiquan Underwood, battling veteran Troy Williamson for the team's final receiver spot, had not dropped two passes.
Williamson wasn't much better. He failed to get two feet down on a perfect pass near the sideline, and dropped a third-down pass near the goal line in the fourth quarter.
"You've got to convert those things to get yourself going," McCown said.
The Falcons (2-2) played without their entire starting offense and without seven defensive starters. Ryan, Turner, Gonzalez and receiver Roddy White got the night off. So did defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, defensive end John Abraham, linebacker Mike Peterson and cornerback Dunta Robinson.
The Jaguars (2-2) had plenty of guys watching from afar, too. Garrard, Jones-Drew and Sims-Walker were among six offensive starters who didn't dress. Most of Jacksonville's starting defense — except for cornerback Derek Cox — also sat out.
Cox, a third-round draft pick in 2009, has struggled this summer. He played better Thursday night, but it came against backups.
"We had a couple of starters play," Del Rio said. "We have to toughen them up and get a little more work in. We played our first team offensive line. I thought they needed that offensively. We just want to be sharp with all of the work we're getting."
Jones-Drew has missed five consecutive practices and didn't travel for last week's game at Tampa Bay. He denied an Internet report he had arthroscopic knee surgery, but acknowledged Thursday night he has been "taking care of all the nicks and bruises."
"I wanted to be out there with my teammates, but we felt the best thing for me was rest and rehab and getting my body back right ..." Jones-Drew said. "I feel great. I can't wait to get out there and play Denver. They are the first hurdle in our road to success and I can't wait to get out there."
He called the false report "a big mess over nothing."
"There have been some false reports out there about what happened, which is fine," Jones-Drew said. "People are going to speculate, but that is not going to hurt anything that happens with this team. More than anything else guys understand. They want me back, I want to be back, and I will be back on Monday doing everything I need to do to get ready to beat Denver."
Atlanta moved the ball more effectively than Jacksonville — the Falcons outgained the Jaguars 316-202 — but Antone Smith's fumble in the second quarter was costly.
Smith broke through the line and gained 10 yards before safety Courtney Greene jarred the ball loose. Greene recovered, and the Jaguars scored the game's lone touchdown four plays later. McCown hooked up with Bolen for a short gain, then Bolen weaved his way through several defenders for a 16-yard score — his third of the preseason.
"He's had a nice camp and preseason," Del Rio said. "He's playing well and I'm not really surprised."
-- Mark Long
Leftwich hurts knee as Steelers beat Panthers 19-3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — All of a sudden, losing Ben Roethlisberger for at least a month isn't the Steelers' only quarterback worry. Byron Leftwich, expected to be the fill-in starter, is injured and looks to be out indefinitely.
Leftwich, tuning up for his anticipated Sept. 12 start against Atlanta, sprained his left knee in the second quarter as Pittsburgh beat the starter-less Carolina Panthers 19-3 on Thursday night.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Leftwich would undergo an MRI on Friday, but the quarterback's teammates sounded discouraged. Backup Charlie Batch called it a "serious" injury, and Dennis Dixon — now the likely starter — said he couldn't talk to Leftwich because doctors were working on the knee so intensely.
"It's an opportunity, I guess, but it's unfortunate for Byron for what he went through. But this team has to continue to go forward," said Dixon, who has started only one NFL game. "I know once he's going to come back he's going to give us nothing but tremendous support."
As Dixon talked to reporters, Roethlisberger — leaving the Steelers' locker room for the last time in at least a month — leaned close and offered words of encouragement. Roethlisberger will meet Friday with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to learn if his suspension for off-field behavior will be reduced to four games, as expected, or stay at six games.
"It's very tough, kind of emotional," said Roethlisberger, who cannot practice with the Steelers while suspended. "I've just got to go do what I've got to do."
Carolina coach John Fox knew what he had to do to avoid injury in a meaningless game, and that's rest his starters. Not only did starting quarterback Matt Moore not play, backup Jimmy Clausen also didn't get off the bench, and with predictable results.
"I think the key was getting our starters ready and healthy," said Fox, whose team opens Sept. 12 against the Giants. "We didn't get anybody nicked up and we will be full speed ahead for New York."
Carolina's offense ended the preseason the way it began it with no touchdowns as No. 3 quarterback Hunter Cantwell (6 of 9, 36 yards) and No. 4 Tony Pike (10 of 18, 44 yards) took all the snaps.
The Panthers' only touchdowns while losing three of four preseason games came from their defense and special teams.
"It's tough from a statistics standpoint, but we know as an offense we can score points," running back Mike Goodson said.
Leftwich (4 of 6, 39 yards) was hurt on an 18-yard completion to Emmanuel Sanders as running back Mewelde Moore and safety Marcus Hudson collided near him with 10:25 remaining in the first half. Leftwich immediately clutched his knee in pain.
Leftwich was examined by team doctors on a stretcher behind the Steelers' bench, then limped into a nearby tunnel that leads to the locker room. As Leftwich was being helped off, Tomlin immediately lifted Dixon, who completed his only pass for a 23-yard touchdown to rookie Emmanuel Sanders.
While Carolina's starters never saw the field, most of Pittsburgh's regulars played into the second quarter, and there were starters on the field when Leftwich was hurt.
Batch, the longtime backup who looked to be in danger of not making the roster, played the final 2½ quarters and handed off on nearly every play. Batch attempted only four passes.
Jeff Reed accounted for most of the scoring with field goals of 33, 43, 31 and 32 yards.
Despite opposing Carolina backups, Pittsburgh's starters went three-and-out and Roethlisberger was knocked off his feet twice during the opening series. Roethlisberger completed passes of 16 yards to Arnaz Battle and 13 to Heath Miller on the second drive before spending the rest of the game wearing a ballcap turned backward and a towel around his neck.
Nearly six months ago, there was considerable speculation how Roethlisberger would be received by Steelers fans upset with his behavior. As it turned out, there were merely shrugs the first time he took the field in Pittsburgh.
With Heinz Field barely half-filled on a 93-degree evening — though the announced crowd was 52,130 — there was no reaction when Roethlisberger led the offense onto the field. Just as during training camp, where Roethlisberger was warmly received, fans appear to be focusing on the upcoming season rather than the quarterback's off-field behavior.
Asked if it will be tough watching on TV, Roethlisberger said, "Absolutely."
-- Alan Robinson
Tebow overcomes turnovers, Vikes top Broncos 31-24
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tim Tebow's first two series had rookie written all over them. Then he started playing with the veteran-like poise that helped him get drafted in the first round by Denver in the first place.
Tebow outplayed Minnesota's Tarvaris Jackson in the backup quarterback comparison, but the Vikings forced four first-half turnovers and beat the Broncos 31-24 on Thursday night in the preseason finale for both teams.
Tebow fumbled his first snap, Erin Henderson found the ball and scooted into the end zone from 35 yards out for the Vikings. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida then threw a wobbler over the middle that Tyrell Johnson easily intercepted and returned for 41 yards to set up a field goal.
"The turnovers in this league will kill you," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "We know that and he does, too."
Minnesota's defense also stopped four of five fourth-down attempts by Denver, including an overthrow by Tebow out of bounds from the Vikings 37 late in the third quarter to give the home team the ball back.
Marquez Branson and Bruce Hall lost fumbles on Denver's next two drives, and Minnesota led 17-7 at halftime despite a meager 54 yards of offense and a weak, out-of-order performance by Jackson and the second-stringers.
Tebow, though, found a rhythm in the second quarter and — despite the turnovers and some carelessness with the ball as he scrambled around in the backfield — finished 12 for 16 for 167 yards and one touchdown.
"I try to have a short memory and move on and just keep playing," Tebow said.
His favorite target was Matthew Willis, who caught five passes for 122 yards and a score.
"Tim is obviously a competitor. He's a winner," said fellow rookie Eric Decker, a Minnesota native. "He just tried to settle the guys down and say, 'Hey, you know what? Forget about what happened. Let's focus on the next play. Let's execute. Take care of your responsibilities.' And he took leadership in the huddle."
Decker had 10 catches for 114 yards for Denver.
"Home sweet home," he said.
Tebow also had 21 yards rushing on four attempts, giving the Broncos plenty to consider in their decision about whether to use him or Brady Quinn as the primary backup to Kyle Orton. Orton played two series and led Denver to a touchdown run by LenDale White, who later left the game because of an ankle injury.
The drive included soft coverage by Lito Sheppard on a first-down catch by Brandon Lloyd and a pass interference penalty on Asher Allen. Sheppard and Allen are competing for a starting cornerback spot, with incumbent Cedric Griffin and rookie Chris Cook recovering from injuries for the Vikings.
Vikings coach Brad Childress declined to name the starter, or reveal a prognosis for Cook.
"We don't ever give those guys timetables. Everybody heals differently," he said.
All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady saw his first action for the Broncos, a major step in his recovery from a knee injury he sustained in April, but he looked slow and was beaten badly a few times by Brian Robison on the pass rush. Starting right tackle Ryan Harris, who grew up in St. Paul, hurt his ankle and didn't return.
Correll Buckhalter also made his preseason debut for Denver in the backfield, catching a pair of passes for 26 yards to give the Broncos another sign of progressive health following a training camp that seemed to revolve around the training room.
The Vikings, who have just one week to get ready for their Sept. 9 season opener at defending champion New Orleans, held out 20 of their 22 starters. Brett Favre watched in one of his favorite outfits — hat, T-shirt, shorts, sneakers — and saw Jackson struggle.
Though tight ends Jeff Dugan and Garrett Mills dropped wide-open passes on the first possession, Jackson finished 2 for 8 for 2 yards, against a mix of first and second team defense by the Broncos. In four preseason games, Jackson went 12 for 26 for 60 yards. Though the fans could easily have been targeting the entire offense on an ugly night, Jackson heard boos a few times as he jogged off the field following a failed third down.
"Regardless of the situation, regardless of why they're booing ... I can't do nothing about it," Jackson said.
Asked if the booing bothers him, Jackson said: "It got to a point now where I don't even care."
He's still in the No. 2 spot, though. Childress has not wavered with that.
"I've seen a lot of him throughout training camp, and I kind of know where he's at," the coach said.
Vikings rookie Joe Webb, however, had a much better night. Cheered as he took the field in the third quarter, the sixth-round draft pick went 5 for 9 for 100 yards, a touchdown and an ill-advised interception. He also took off for a 41-yard carry, and his first completion — 14 yards — was longer than the yardage from Jackson and Sage Rosenfels combined.
Webb's pass was picked off by Alphonso Smith, but Webb ran him down and saved a touchdown with a hard tackle, forcing Smith to limp off the field for a second time in the game. Smith later lost a shoe and fell down during a 62-yard touchdown pass from Webb to Javon Walker. The Vikings have a dilemma this weekend, whether to keep four quarterbacks on the roster or try to sneak Webb through waivers and onto to the practice squad.
"It'd be hard to keep four and not keep another good football player on the roster," Childress said.
Said Webb: "It's tough. A lot of guys can't sleep enough."
-- Dave Campbell
Lions beat Bills 28-23 in preseason finale
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions were hoping Matthew Stafford would have a brief and productive tuneup for the regular season.
He didn't.
Stafford's second pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown and he didn't lead Detroit to points on his second and last drive. But, third-stringer Drew Stanton threw a pair of second-half touchdown passes to lift the Lions to a 28-23 win over the Buffalo Bills in their preseason finale Thursday night.
"The interception was a big negative, but we made some positive plays as well," Stafford said. "Now, we just put this behind us and start planning for Chicago."
Detroit opens the season at Chicago — hoping to snap a 20-game skid on the road — and that's when coach Jim Schwartz will start to care about results.
"It really doesn't matter, to tell you the truth, how I'm feeling or what our record was in the preseason," Schwartz said.
The Lions (3-1) had a winning record in the preseason, but they know more than any other team how meaningless that is because they won all four of their exhibitions two years ago before going on to have the NFL's first 0-16 season.
"The biggest thing about this season is that talent isn't an issue anymore," center Dominic Raiola said. "No matter what we do, we can't point to a lack of talent."
Stafford was 3 of 6 for 21 yards and an interception against the Bills. The No. 1 pick of the 2009 NFL draft was much more effective in his first three preseason games, completing 74 percent of his passes for 332 yards, three TDs and an interception.
His first pass was deflected and the second — a short pass to the flat intended for Calvin Johnson — was picked off by Drayton Florence, who returned it 40 yards for a score.
"It was a great interception and score," Buffalo coach Chan Gailey said. "That was big."
Schwartz blamed himself for forcing Stafford to run a no-huddle offense without much preparation.
"It backfired on us," he said.
The Bills, meanwhile, liked what they saw in Trent Edwards' tuneup before hosting Miami in Week 1.
Edwards was 4 for 4 for 66 yards on his only drive that set up Rian Lindell's first of three field goals. He was very efficient and made Gailey happy by taking a calculated chance deep downfield, connecting on a 50-yard pass to a leaping Lee Evans.
Buffalo's Marshawn Lynch had 2 yards rushing on five carries after missing two games with an ankle injury. Bills rookie running back C.J. Spiller was rested and running back Fred Jackson missed a third straight game because of a broken left hand. Spiller watched on the sideline in football pants, a jersey and baseball cap.
Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick did not play, giving Brian Brohm and rookie Levi Brown a chance to show the team what they can do.
Brohm was 7 of 15 for 78 yards and an interception — that went off the intended receiver's hands — and Brown was 10 of 18 for 92 yards and an interception.
"The film is going to speak for itself right now," Brohm said.
The Bills (2-2) led the Lions 16-0 late in the second quarter, but began to lose their cushion when Brohm's pass went off tight end J.P. Foschi's hands and Ashlee Palmer made a diving interception and 39-yard return.
Jerome Felton's 1-yard run with 10 seconds left in the half pulled the Lions within nine.
After Shaun Hill was just 2 of 6 for 21 yards, Stanton entered and threw a short pass that DeDe Dorsey turned into a 25-yard TD late in the third quarter and a 16-yard pass to Derrick Williams early in the fourth to put the Lions ahead — for the first time — 21-17.
Dorsey fumbled at the Lions 23 to give the Bills a chance to retake the lead, but they blew it when rookie Brown threw a pass that wasn't close to a teammate in the end zone. Paul Pratt made a diving interception, got up and returned it 102 yards to seal the win.
"It's hard when you don't get a lot of reps in practice and execute everything the way you're supposed to, not to make an excuse because I just missed throws," Brown said.
Chad Simpson's 1-yard run pulled the Bills within five with 16 seconds left. Buffalo then conceded the exhibition by kicking deep instead of attempting an onside kick.
NOTES: The Lions were without LB DeAndre Levy, who injured his groin last week, and seemed to hold out RB Jahvid Best, OT Jeff Backus, DT Corey Williams, S Louis Delmas, S C.C. Brown as a precaution with nagging injuries. ... Gailey said it was "sad" that a QB — Brohm — led the team in rushing. ... Lions DE Korey Bosworth, nephew of Brian Bosworth, left with an injured right leg. ... Buffalo RB Joique Bell had 10 yards on five carries, playing a mile from Wayne State, where he starred as a small-college player.
-- Larry Lage
Browns lose rookie RB in 13-10 win over Bears
CLEVELAND (AP) — On crutches again, Montario Hardesty hobbled toward the stadium's exit after his first NFL game for a doctor's appointment.
He can't outrun his knee problems.
Cleveland's highly touted rookie running back, whose career at Tennessee was slowed by knee injuries, hurt his left one in the second quarter Thursday night in a 13-10 win over the Chicago Bears, a potentially major blow to the Browns' offense.
"I hurt my knee making a cut," a dejected Hardesty said. "I really don't know what it is. I can't say it's not frustrating. I want to stay positive, get as much information as possible and return my focus to getting better. I'm hopeful whatever it is, I can get back as soon as possible."
Hardesty said it felt nothing like any of his previous injuries. He's scheduled for an MRI and more tests Friday.
Fellow Browns rookie Colt McCoy got his first pro start and went a perfect 13 of 13 for 131 yards in two-plus quarters. The former Texas star fumbled his first snap, but finally showed some potential in easily his best performance of an otherwise rough preseason.
Quarterback Todd Collins, recently signed by Chicago to back up Jay Cutler, completed 10 of 15 for 139 yards and a 15-yard TD pass to tight end Greg Olsen for the Bears (0-4).
Phil Dawson kicked a 36-yard field goal — set up when Browns defensive back DeAngelo Smith blocked a punt __ as time expired for the Browns (2-2).
Hardesty made his pro debut after missing training camp with a bone bruise, an injury he sustained in his surgically repaired right knee in a 1-on-1 tackling drill during the week before Cleveland's veterans reported. He recently returned to practice and the Browns were excited about him finally getting on the field.
Hardesty showed his inside power before getting hurt, scoring on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. He finished with 25 yards on seven carries.
On a routine running play off the left side, Hardesty picked up 2 yards but stayed on the ground after being tackled. He grimaced as trainers worked on his leg before he walked slowly to the sideline, where Cleveland's medical staff examined him.
Hardesty didn't limp and was able to put full weight on his left leg as he left the field.
McCoy, who had his swollen left hand X-rayed after being stepped on, sympathized with his teammate.
"It's too bad he left," McCoy said. "He really ran hard on our touchdown drive. He was really looking good."
The Browns traded into the second round to draft Hardesty, who gained 1,345 yards last season in the rugged SEC. Cleveland's front office is high on Hardesty, believing he can step in as a starter or serve as a change-of-pace for Jerome Harrison, who at just 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds has durability questions.
Not wanting to risk injuries with their season openers looming, both teams rested most of their starters. Cutler didn't play and the Browns sat starting QB Jake Delhomme and backup Seneca Wallace.
"Let's hope nobody gets hurt," Browns president Mike Holmgren, his right leg still in a cast from foot surgery, said before the game. He was driven around in his golf cart.
Unfortunately, the Browns may have lost their top running back.
Hardesty's injury could keep James Davis on the roster. He gained 66 yards on 15 carries and caught five passes for 53 yards before leaving with a leg injury in the fourth period.
McCoy's preseason has been shaky and it continued on his first play, a bad exchange on Cleveland's first snap that the Bears recovered at Cleveland's 19. Three plays later, Collins waited patiently for Olsen to get open behind Cleveland's secondary.
"Really unacceptable," McCoy said of his turnover.
He regrouped, though, and efficiently moved Cleveland's second- and third-team offenses with short, precise throws. He twice completed 16-yarders but was sacked three times.
"This capped off my preseason," McCoy said. "It felt great to get into a game, get into a rhythm and get a feel for the defense. Just being in the huddle, calling plays and leading drives — that's football."
Collins set up Cleveland's TD with his own miscue. Backed up after a holding penalty, Collins was in the shotgun when he turned his head just as second-string center Josh Beekman hiked the ball. It bounced off Collins and Cleveland recovered at the 13.
"It was pretty comfortable on most things," Collins said. "The formations and play-calling, some of them I wasn't as sharp as I needed to be, but overall I thought it was a pretty decent effort other than the mishap we had on the shotgun snap."
Bears coach Lovie Smith was pleased with Collins' play.
"It was good to get him out there, especially with our No. 1 line," Smith said. "That was the plan. I felt like he would handle the situation the way he did. He's not a rookie coming in here."
NOTES: Bears GM Jerry Angelo is comfortable with the 38-year-old Collins as Chicago's second QB. "We've seen enough of him," said Angelo, who plans to keep three quarterbacks. "His arm looks live. We feel good about him. We have confidence that he's going to be our backup." ... Angelo said some of the final roster decisions will be difficult. "We have more decisions with the roster this year than we have had with past rosters on the fringe players." ... Dawson was wide on a 58-yarder on the final play of the first half. He also made a 24-yarder.
-- Tom Withers
Bradford, Rams roll over Ravens 27-21
ST. LOUIS (AP) — One perfect series and done for Sam Bradford.
No doubt, facing the Baltimore Ravens' second-string defense made it easier for the No. 1 pick.
Bradford made another favorable impression in his second preseason start, going 6 for 6 for 68 yards and a touchdown to open the St. Louis Rams' 27-21 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night. A.J. Feeley's thumb injury gave Bradford his starting shot last week, and the rookie may have done enough to get the nod in the opener Sept. 12 against the Cardinals.
"It's not up to me, it's up to our coaches," Bradford said. "I trust what they believe. If they think I'm the guy, I am. If not, that means I've got to work that much harder and get that much better before I am."
Coach Steve Spagnuolo refused to tip his hand, saying he and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur would meet to discuss the lineup.
"You're talking about all the positions?" he joked. "I get you."
Ravens coach John Harbaugh did not hold back, saying, "He's going to be a star, there isn't any question about it."
The Ravens (3-1) held out all of their starters, plus backup quarterback Marc Bulger in his return to St. Louis after getting released by the Rams in April, denying fans a shot to either cheer or boo a player who was the starter from 2003-09.
"I got to see a lot of people I haven't seen in six months," Bulger said. "They made the decision on Wednesday and I was on board with it."
The production suffered, especially in the first quarter when they were outgained 157-19 with one first down and gave up two touchdowns. The first three preseason games, the Ravens allowed only one touchdown.
"I know they didn't play a lot of their guys, I do understand that," Spagnuolo said. "We'll take some good out of it."
Ravens starters didn't mind watching.
"Oh, we're ready," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "The bottom line was to let the young guys get some work in, and now it's over. Let's start next week, here we go."
Third-string quarterback Troy Smith went the distance for the Ravens, who missed a chance to go unbeaten for the second straight preseason to end a seven-game winning streak. Smith was 18 for 38 for 237 yards with two interceptions and was the Ravens' top rusher with 56 yards on seven carries, scoring on a pair of short runs in the second half.
Smith drove the Ravens to the Rams 35 on the final drive before getting sacked on consecutive plays by Bobby Carpenter and Jermelle Cudjo. His final pass from near midfield was batted away in the end zone.
"There's definitely some things I wish I could take back," Smith said. "We could have done some things better."
The Rams (3-1) opened with their starters on both sides of the ball, with the notable exception of running back Steven Jackson. They used the game to audition potential backups Kenneth Darby, Chris Ogbonnaya and Keith Toston, who combined for 117 yards on 32 carries.
Baltimore had one highlight-reel play, when reserve linebacker Dannell Ellerbe got a chance to showboat twice on a 57-yard interception return for a score in the second quarter.
Ellerbe took advantage when Brandon Gibson bobbled a potential reception and had such clear sailing, he had time to hold the ball out in front of him right after the pick and then paused at the goal line, holding the ball over the line, before finally stepping into the end zone.
The Ravens' other big play was by running back Jalen Parmele, who ran down Chris Chamberlain after an 83-yard interception return at the 5 on the final play of the first half. Chamberlain intercepted a tipped pass on fourth-and-1 from the St. Louis 1.
Bradford and second-year quarterback Keith Null were a combined 12 for 12 for 131 yards and two touchdowns to open the game for a 14-0 cushion. The run ended on Ellerbe's interception return.
Bradford's arm accounted for all but 7 yards of a 10-play, 75-yard drive to open the game and scored on the opening possession the last three games. Most of the throws were short and safe, but the big play was a 36-yarder to Danny Amendola that set up a 2-yard scoring pass to Billy Bajema.
"Obviously, I understand we weren't going against their first defense," Bradford said. "But at the same time, if you go out there and execute like we did as an offense, you really can't ask much more than that."
Notes: Josh Brown kicked a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter for St. Louis, finishing the preseason 8 for 8. ... Thaddeus Lewis, competing with Null for the Rams' third-string job, threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Brandon McRae in the fourth quarter.
-- R.B. Fallstrom
Chiefs finally get preseason win, 17-13
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It took two years and five days, but finally Todd Haley and Kansas City have beaten somebody in the preseason.
Helped perhaps by Green Bay's decision not to dress three key starters, the Chiefs took a 14-0 lead and held on Thursday night for a 17-13 victory over the team that many are making the favorite in the NFC.
The backup defense that gave away a victory last week against Philadelphia held fast this time and kept the Packers' third-teamers out of the end zone in the final sloppy minutes.
"Overall, I think that's good for our team to come out there and get a win," Haley said. "We knew this whole preseason was about one thing, and that was being prepared for the start of the regular season. It was important for our team to continue to make positive strides and I thought we did that throughout the preseason in all areas."
Matt Cassel and backup Brodie Croyle each directed touchdown drives for the Chiefs, who finished the preseason 1-3 after going 0-4 a year ago.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a host of other Green Bay starters didn't suit up for the final tuneup of the preseason. Backup signal-caller Matt Flynn played into the third quarter and completed 23 of 37 passes for 304 yards, much of it against reserves.
"I like Matt Flynn," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I thought Matt has put together a fine preseason. I thought he did good keeping us in good plays tonight at the line of scrimmage. He missed some throws early in the game. He didn't quite have his feet set but I thought overall for his three quarters he did a very good job."
Running back Ryan Grant and cornerback Charles Woodson also did not dress for what was expected to be a rainy night but remained dry.
"Clearly a coaches' decision," McCarthy said. "It's something I think about all the time. I feel we came out of the game relatively healthy."
Held out with injuries were nine other Packers, including four other starters: linebackers Clay Matthews and Brad Jones, defensive end Cullen Jenkins and tackle Chad Clifton.
"We came into Kansas City to win the football game," McCarthy said. "We came here to make sure we gave a lot of people as many opportunities as we possibly can. I thought we accomplished that."
Rodgers, who led the No. 1 offense on three touchdown drives in one half against Indianapolis last Thursday, watched Flynn go three-and-out in Green Bay's first four possessions.
Finally, facing a host of backups, the Packers drove from their 24 to first down at the 10. But rookie defensive back Kendrick Lewis broke up a pass on the goal line on third down and then a fourth-down pass was incomplete.
Cassel got off to his typically slow start, but wound up hitting 4 of 9 throws for 58 yards, with one interception and a 2-yard TD pass to a wide-open Leonard Pope late in the first quarter. The drive, against many backups, covered 62 yards on 11 plays.
Cassel turned a 7-0 lead over to Croyle and the oft-injured backup engineered an eight-play, 95-yard march in which Jackie Battle broke Jarrett Bush's tackle and went 49 yards. On fourth down, Battle plowed across from the 1, making it 14-0.
Trailing 14-3, the Packers got a 77-yard catch-and-run when backup cornerback Jackie Bates bit on a play fake and left Brett Swain wide open over the middle. Swain was knocked out of bounds at the 5. Two plays later, Kregg Lumpkin dived into the end zone from the 1. The play was first ruled no gain, but the Packers challenged and got the call reversed.
Three receivers had a big night for the Packers. Swain caught 6 passes for 130 yards, Charles Dillon caught 6 for 85 and Patrick Williams had five catches for 70 yards.
The Chiefs, as they've been all preseason, were encouraged by an impoved running game. They had 145 yards on the ground, led by Jackie Battle's 67.
Croyle hit Tim Castille with a short pass late in the third quarter and the fullback broke a tackle, got a block and went 43 yards, setting up Ryan Succop's 26-yard field goal.
Green Bay's Mason Crosby kicked two 41-yard field goals.
Kansas City's first possession seemed to confirm the impression many have had of Haley's second Chiefs team: inconsistent offense and greatly improved return game. Rookie Javier Arenas returned a punt 44 yards to the Green Bay 33, but the Chiefs went three-and-out.
A blow to head put Green Bay long snapper Brett Goode out for much of the game.
"I know they got to him right away and he was able to go two more plays and the doctors felt it was time for him to go (out)," said McCarthy. "It's a cut and dry system. If it's a medical decision they don't play."
Two Chiefs starters were out with injuries, tackle Ryan O'Callaghan and linebacker Tamba Hali.
Chiefs rookie safety Eric Berry was excited to have a victory going into the regular-season opener on Monday, Sept. 13.
"It's very important. Just get that momentum going into Monday night football and make sure we're ready to play," he said.
-- Doug Tucker
49ers beat Chargers to cap unbeaten preseason
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — On a night when San Francisco's offensive stars sat out, the 49ers got more big plays on the other side of the ball to cap their first unbeaten preseason in 18 years.
Manny Lawson and rookie Taylor Mays each had interceptions and rookie Anthony Dixon ran 46 yards for a first-half touchdown in the Niners' 17-14 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.
Jehuu Caulcrick caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Nate Davis with 8:41 left and Joe Nedney added a 25-yard field goal. San Francisco (4-0) went undefeated in its exhibition schedule for the first time since a 5-0 showing in 1992.
Coach Mike Singletary wasn't overly excited about the record considering it doesn't count.
"Trust me, I've been 4-0 before in preseason," Singletary said. "I'm very thankful the preseason is over. This game, I'm just glad to get it over with. It was a good game to win, a good game to close out on."
Jeremy Williams returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown, then caught a 29-yard pass to set up Curtis Brinkley's 2-yard TD run late in the third quarter for the Chargers. But Curtis Taylor stripped Williams after a catch to force a fumble and give San Francisco the ball back with 6:54 to play.
Williams also was the intended receiver on San Diego's last-ditch effort on fourth down in the final minute. Tramaine Brock picked off Jonathan Crompton's pass with 48 seconds left.
San Francisco's offense looked little like the unit it will be for the team's Sept. 12 opener at NFC West rival Seattle. No Alex Smith at quarterback, no Frank Gore or Brian Westbrook at running back, no Michael Crabtree at wideout or Joe Staley leading the line at left tackle.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers also got the night off.
The Niners did go with their regular starting on 11 on defense — but for one series.
-- Janie McCauley
Raiders beat Seahawks 27-24 in exhibition finale
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The end of the exhibition season brought encouraging signs for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks when it comes to their backup quarterbacks.
Bruce Gradkowski threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter and the Raiders mostly used backups to end the preseason with a 27-24 victory over the Seahawks on Thursday night.
"I've been trying to do everything I can and the rest is out of my hands," Gradkowski said. "You always have to be ready because you never know when your time will come."
Gradkowski's time for the Raiders (3-1) apparently won't come to start the season even though starter Jason Campbell missed this game with a stinger and sore wrist he sustained last week against San Francisco. Campbell did not practice Tuesday but said after the game he's confident he'll be on the field when the season starts Sept. 12.
"I can't talk about the injury or anything that is going on right now, but come the Tennessee game I'll be ready," Campbell said.
Charlie Whitehurst threw for 210 yards and a touchdown in the first half while starter Matt Hasselbeck rested up for the season opener. Whitehurst hit three deep passes to Deon Butler, Golden Tate and Ben Obomanu against one of the few defensive starters in the game for Oakland, cornerback Chris Johnson.
"When you play Oakland you know you're going to get a lot of man coverage and you know that you're going to have to win outside," Whitehurst said. "We were able to do that a few times."
-- Josh Dubow
