NFL PRESEASON

NFL PRESEASON

Thursday’s other games

Jaguars 31, Redskins 14

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jason Campbell got a much-needed touchdown. Mark Brunell got a loud ovation. And most of the Jacksonville Jaguars got a night off. Campbell returned to the starting lineup after missing last week’s game with a bruised left knee. He was 5-of-5 passing for 54 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s loss. Campbell played just one series, but it was exactly what the Redskins (2-2) wanted to see from the third-year pro. Although he got hit once, he had ample time in the pocket and capped the drive with a 23-yard strike down the sideline to Antwaan Randle El. It was Campbell’s first touchdown pass of the preseason, an encouraging sign for an offense that scored just 37 points in its first three games.

Bills 16, Lions 13

DETROIT — Trent Edwards will watch J.P. Losman take every significant snap, if all goes well for the Buffalo Bills this year. If it doesn’t, the rookie quarterback hopes he can draw on experience from the exhibition season. Edwards directed a 90-yard drive that set up a tiebreaking field goal with 1:46 left, and Buffalo recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to seal the win. Edwards was 18-of-24 for 182 yards, perhaps solidifying a job as Losman’s backup ahead of Craig Nall.

Vikings 23, Cowboys 14

MINNEAPOLIS — Brooks Bollinger made his case for holding onto the backup quarterback spot in Minnesota, while Matt Moore may have sewn up the No. 3 job in Dallas. That was about the only drama for the Vikings and Cowboys in a preseason finale most of the stars watched from the sidelines. Bollinger shrugged off a shaky performance in Seattle by throwing for 109 yards and a touchdown in just under two quarters of Minnesota’s victory

Jets 13, Eagles 11

PHILADELPHIA — In a game decided by third-stringers and guys who’ll be looking for jobs in a few days, Mike Nugent kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Jets. Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Chad Pennington didn’t play and most starters for both teams sat out. A.J. Feeley, McNabb’s backup, broke a bone in his left hand, but whether he will miss any action is uncertain. Kevin Kolb threw a 31-yard TD pass to Zac Collie with 2:57 left to get the Eagles within one point. Instead of going for a tie in a meaningless game, coach Andy Reid went for the lead. Kolb rolled right and tossed a pass to Nate Ilaoa to put Philadelphia ahead 11-10. Kolb, a second-round pick and the team’s first overall selection, completed 22 of 33 passes for 220 yards.

Titans 30, Packers 14.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Brett Favre looks sharp and ready to roll into his 17th NFL season with some of his young teammates. For Vince Young and LenDale White, the future is now. Young threw for a touchdown and ran for another for a second straight week, White added 77 total yards, and they helped the Tennessee Titans wrap up the preseason by beating Favre and the Packers. Tennessee (3-1) wrapped up its first winning preseason since 2004.

Rams 10, Chiefs 3

ST. LOUIS — Larry Johnson got the break-in work he needed while supplying a lackluster Chiefs-Rams preseason finale with just a smidgen of star power. Johnson, who ended a 25-day holdout earlier in the month, was the only starter of substance for either team who got on the field in St. Louis’ victory. He shook off a bit of rust, carrying three times for 12 yards at the start of the Chiefs’ first drive.

Saints 7, Dolphins 0

NEW ORLEANS — Rookie Pierre Thomas may have played himself into an NFL roster spot, even if it isn’t with the New Orleans Saints. The former Illinois running back rushed 16 times for 81 yards and a touchdown, had two catches for 47 yards and added a decent kickoff return to help the Saints beat the Dolphins. The problem for Thomas is that he put himself in a difficult situation when he signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent. The Saints’ roster already includes star running backs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister, along with veteran Aaron Stecker and rookie fourth-round draft pick Antonio Pittman out of Ohio State. So even if Thomas does latch on with New Orleans, he stands little chance of being active from week to week unless he makes himself indispensable on special teams. Pittman, meanwhile, rushed 21 times for 77 yards.

Patriots 27, Giants 20

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Eli Manning had another solid tuneup for the regular season, even if it was brief. Tom Brady didn’t need one. Manning led a 16-play touchdown drive on the opening series, then went to the sideline with most of the New York Giants’ other starters in the Patriots’ win. Most of New England’s regulars, including Brady, didn’t play at all — not unusual for the final game before the regular season. On Sept. 9, the Patriots open at the New York Jets, while the Giants play at Dallas.

Buccaneers 31, Texans 24

TAMPA, Fla. — Chris Simms spent the night walking the sideline, leaving Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski to state their final cases for being Tampa Bay’s backup quarterbacks. McCown threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, and Gradkowski threw a 31-yard scoring pass to Paris Warren with three minutes remaining for Tampa. The TD catch was Warren’s second of the night and proved costly to the Bucs. The third-year receiver, who had seven receptions for 110 yards, injured his left leg when he was tackled as he crossed the goal line and had to be carted off the field.

Associated Press