NFL ROUNDUp \ Sunday’s other games

AFC

Broncos 12, Bengals 7

CINCINNATI — Brandon Stokley caught a tipped pass and outran Cincinnati’s shocked defenders for an 87-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left. After Cedric Benson’s 1-yard run put Cincinnati ahead 7-6 with 38 seconds left, Kyle Orton — in line to shoulder the blame for a Denver loss — threw a desperate pass into a crowd at the sideline, hoping Brandon Marshall would somehow come down with it. Marshall never got close. Cornerback Leon Hall batted the ball in the air, and the carom went right into the arms of Stokley, who was behind the defense and had a clear path to the end zone. He ran sideways for a few steps to eat up time before finally stepping into the end zone. Bengals defenders stopped and dropped their heads, unable to fathom the wacky way they’d lost another game.

Ravens 38, Chiefs 24

BALTIMORE — Joe Flacco went 26 for 43 for 307 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs. The Ravens ruined the head coaching debut of Kansas City’s Todd Haley as they amassed a franchise-record 501 yards, yet needed a 31-yard touchdown catch by Mark Clayton with 2:06 left to break a tie. Willis McGahee scored from the 1 with 31 seconds remaining to clinch it.

Jets 24, Texans 7

HOUSTON — As good as Mark Sanchez was in his NFL debut, the Jets’ defense was better. Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, threw for 272 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut, Thomas Jones scored twice, and the Jets shut down Houston’s high-powered offense. It was easy to see Rex Ryan’s stamp on this defense in his first game as Jets head coach after leading Baltimore’s stingy unit for the past several years. Houston’s offense got past midfield just once in the first three quarters. The Texans were outgained 462-183, Steve Slaton was held to 17 yards rushing and Andre Johnson had 35 yards receiving.

Colts 14, Jaguars 12

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning threw for one touchdown, Joseph Addai ran for another and the Colts’ defense stopped Jacksonville twice in the fourth quarter. Though Manning tied John Unitas’ franchise record for career wins with 118, it was hardly a thing of beauty. Manning lost receiver Anthony Gonzalez late in the first quarter with a right knee injury, a potentially serious blow to the Colts usually high-scoring offense. Reggie Wayne finished with 10 catches for 162 yards and a TD and Colts coach Jim Caldwell won his NFL head coaching debut. Indy allowed only 228 yards, 114 each on the ground and through the air.

NFC

Saints 45, Lions 27

NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees looked even better than last year, which was bad news for a Detroit Lions team trying to win for the first time since 2007. Brees tied a Saints record with six touchdown passes and threw for 358 yards in a victory that extended the Lions’ regular-season losing streak to 18. Two of Brees’ touchdown passes went to Jeremy Shockey, who hadn’t scored since being traded from the New York Giants to New Orleans last season. Brees connected with Marques Colston for 9 yards, Robert Meachem for 39, Shockey for 1 and 15, Devery Henderson for 58 and Heath Evans for 13.

Giants 23, Redskins 17

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, and defensive end Osi Umenyiora ran back a fumble 37 yards in his return from a knee injury. Lawrence Tynes added three field goals, including a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter set up by an offside penalty by Redskins $100 million defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who had an average game in his Washington debut. Washington, which trailed all game, drew within 23-17 with 1:30 to play on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jason Campbell to Chris Cooley. Steve Smith recovered the onside kick and New York ran out the clock.

Seahawks 28, Rams 0

SEATTLE — Matt Hasselbeck, playing his first game since Thanksgiving Day, overcame two interceptions in his first three throws to connect with John Carlson for two touchdowns. Hasselbeck finished 25 of 36 for 279 yards, his most for an opener. Seattle beat its division rival for the ninth consecutive time with its biggest win to begin a season since a 38-0 victory over Philadelphia in 1998. The Rams, under new coach Steve Spagnuolo, gained just 247 yards in a flop that looked alarmingly like their 38-3 loss against Philadelphia that opened last season.

Eagles 38, Panthers 10

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Donovan McNabb limped to the locker room with a cracked rib, but it was a dominant performance by the Eagles thanks to Jake Delhomme’s five turnovers. Victor Abiamiri picked up Delhomme’s fumble, caused by Trent Cole’s sack, and plunged 2 yards for the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Moments later, DeSean Jackson returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, the second longest in franchise history. With the suspended Michael Vick watching from a luxury suite, Kevin Kolb finished the game at quarterback. Playing his first meaningful game since committing six turnovers against Arizona in the playoffs, Delhomme was nearly as bad. With the boos increasing before he was finally replaced in the third quarter, Delhomme was 7 of 17 for 73 yards with four interceptions and a lost fumble.

Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 21

TAMPA, Fla. — Tony Romo threw for 353 yards and three long touchdowns, spoiling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ debut under coach Raheem Morris. Miles Austin avoided two tacklers on the sideline to score on a 42-yard reception just before halftime. Roy Williams streaked through a mistake-prone secondary on a 66-yard TD play early in the third quarter.

Romo teamed with Patrick Crayton, who had six catches for 135 yards, on the longest completion of the Pro Bowl quarterback’s career — 80 yards — for a fourth-quarter TD that thwarted any realistic hopes for a Tampa Bay comeback. And erased memories of the departed Terrell Owens.

Cadillac Williams, back after having surgery twice in 15 months, finished with 97 yards on 13 carries and scored a TD.

INTERCONFERENCE

Falcons 19, Dolphins 7

ATLANTA — Tony Gonzalez hauled in a touchdown pass and became the 21st player in NFL history with 11,000 yards receiving. Linebacker Mike Peterson forced a fumble with a vicious hit and picked off a pass for the Falcons. The matchup between the two most surprising teams of 2008 wasn’t much of a game. The Falcons’ defense, highly suspect after letting go five starters and looking shaky during the preseason, came up with four turnovers and thoroughly shut down a team that won the AFC East after going 1-15 two years ago. Matt Ryan threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Falcons, who made the playoffs after a quick rebuilding job from the Michael Vick debacle. Now, they are off to a good start in their attempt to post consecutive winning seasons for the first time in their 44-year history. Gonzalez hauled in five passes for a team-high 73 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown after Peterson’s pick.

Associated Press