Stephen McGee threw three touchdowns as the Dallas Cowboys opened their pre-season with a 24-23 win over the Denver Broncos.
Dallas begin pre-season with victory over the Broncos
Stephen McGee threw three touchdowns and the game-winning two-point conversion as the Dallas Cowboys opened their pre-season with a 24-23 win over the Denver Broncos.
Starting quarterback Tony Romo began the game under centre but, as frequently happens early in pre-season, was replaced by McGee during the second quarter.
The visitors led 9-3 at half-time at Cowboys Stadium but McGee came alive after the break, throwing touchdowns to both Raymond Radway and Dwayne Harris.
Jeremiah Johnson rushed in for a Broncos' score in between those two touchdowns, and when Brady Quinn found Eron Riley for an eight-yard score Denver took a 23-16 lead.
But McGee led the Cowboys back down the field, finishing his drive with a 13-yard pass for Harris' second touchdown before finding tight end Martin Rucker in the end zone to secure the win.
The
Philadelphia Eagles' big-name free agent signings made only fleeting appearances as the hosts claimed a scrappy win over the
Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field.
Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie both started in a star-studded secondary but were taken off the field after two series, while quarterback Michael Vick threw only six passes.
Vick still managed to account for the only touchdown of the game, however, as he connected with Brent Celek on a three-yard pass after orchestrating a drive from his own 20-yard line.
Kicker Alex Henery scored the rest of the Eagles' points while Baltimore could only manage two Billy Cundiff field goals.
New England Patriots got their pre-season off to a flying start as they crushed the
Jacksonville Jaguars 47-12.
Tom Brady did not take to the field at any point, but back-up quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett threw for a touchdown each and running backs Stevan Ridley and Richard Medlin rushed for two scores apiece.
Mallett looked solid on his debut but his opposite number and fellow rookie signal-caller Blaine Gabbert played inconsistently, with the number 10 overall pick completing nine of 16 passes for 85 yards.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers impressed in his one and only series, but the Chargers still slumped to a 24-17 defeat to the
Seattle Seahawks at Qualcomm Stadium.
Rivers connected on five of his six pass attempts for 87 yards and a touchdown to powerhouse running back Mike Tolbert before being withdrawn in the first quarter.
The second-stringers could not maintain the performance in his absence, however, and the Seahawks hit back with touchdowns from Anthony Washington, Anthony McCoy and Thomas Clayton while San Diego's Bryan Walters returned a kick-off to the house.
Max Hall hit Isaiah Williams on a 28-yard pass with 39 seconds to go as the
Arizona Cardinals snatched a 24-18 victory against the
Oakland Raiders.
New Arizona quarter back Kevin Kolb looked assured as he twice hooked up with Larry Fitzgerald for long gains before both were taken out of the action.
Trent Edwards threw for 140 yards and a touchdown while Sebastian Janikowski also kicked four field goals for the Raiders but new head coach Hue Jackson could not start his reign with a win.
