Stafford improves as Lions’ QB race heats up in win

DETROIT (AP) — Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford seemed to do enough Saturday to keep the Detroit Lions’ quarterback competition wide open. Heck, even Peyton Manning thought they did well.

Culpepper threw for a touchdown and Stafford passed for 160 yards to help Detroit beat the Indianapolis Colts 18-17 in an exhibition game.

Three-time MVP Manning has said Stafford — the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft — would be best served to play right away as he did, but left Ford Field away impressed with Detroit’s top two QBs.

“I thought both of them looked good,” Manning said. “It seems like the race is going to go down to the wire.”

Lions coach Jim Schwartz chose to begin the first and third preseason games with Culpepper under center, but wouldn’t discuss plans for the exhibition finale Thursday night at Buffalo.

Schwartz did say, though, he is planning to use his top players more than most coaches do in the fourth exhibition.

“We’re still in evaluation mode,” Schwartz said. “We’re going to approach it the same way we did these other three games.”

Culpepper completed seven of 12 passes for 67 yards, deftly avoiding the rush to make some throws and showing enough poise to connect with his third option on the TD — Bryant Johnson for a 3-yard score.

“I feel great,” said Culpepper, who was a Pro Bowl-caliber QB in Minnesota before a knee injury in 2005. “I honestly feel like I did before I got hurt.”

Stafford was 13-of-19 and threw an interception.

Saints 45, Raiders 7

OAKLAND, Calif. — Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints offense looked to be in midseason form. Unfortunately for Oakland fans, the Raiders appear to be as well.

Brees completed 14 of 17 passes for 179 yards and drove the Saints to touchdowns on all three drives he played.

The Saints were able to move the ball with ease even without top running backs Pierre Thomas (knee) and Reggie Bush (calf). Mike Bell started, but Lynell Hamilton got the bulk of the work with 16 carries for 95 yards. P.J. Hill added 89 yards and two touchdown runs.

Brees completed his first eight passes. The return of last year’s leading receiver, Lance Moore, from offseason shoulder surgery helped Brees’ cause. He had four catches for 29 yards, including a 5-yarder in the back of the end zone on Brees’ final pass.