Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

August 31, 2012

NFL Notebook: Jets get touchdown, still lose

The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Greg McElroy became the first quarterback to lead the New York Jets into the end zone this preseason in a 28-10 loss Thursday night to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and most of the Jets' starters didn't play in this game between backups and guys competing for roster spots.

Michael Vick and all of Philadelphia's starters watched from the sideline.

Trent Edwards threw for 197 yards and two TDs to help the Eagles (4-0) finish unbeaten in the preseason for the first time since 1995. The Jets (0-4) became the first team in 35 years to go three preseason games without a touchdown, matching the 1977 Atlanta Falcons.

"I'm glad we got it," Jets Coach Rex Ryan said. "I'm not going to sit here and say I wish we (hadn't scored). I would have liked to have saved it and tack it on next week."

JAGUARS 24, FALCONS 14: Kevin Elliott had a 77-yard touchdown reception, likely solidifying his spot on the regular-season roster, and Jacksonville won at home.

The teams took vastly different approaches to the game. The Jaguars played their offensive starters into the second quarter; the Falcons played just two regulars: linebacker Akeem Dent and defensive tackle Peria Jerry.

PACKERS 24, CHIEFS 3: Backup quarterback Graham Harrell finally came through with a strong preseason performance, driving the offense for touchdowns on all three of his possessions as Greeb Bay won at home.

Harrell completed 13 of 15 passes for 223 yards with two touchdowns in both teams' final tuneup.

TITANS 10, SAINTS 6: New Orleans took no chances in its final preseason game, resting all starters at Nashville, Tenn.

The Saints now prepare to return home to storm-ravaged Louisiana and put a scandal-ridden offseason behind them.

COLTS 20, BENGALS 16: Chandler Harnish threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dominique Jones, leading Indianapolis in a preseason finale at home.

Quarterback Andrew Luck, the No. 1 draft pick, left after Indianapolis' first series.

STEELERS 17, PANTHERS 16: Charlie Batch completed 11 of 14 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown to bolster his hopes of playing a 15th NFL season as Pittsburgh won its preseason finale at home.

Batch hit Emmanuel Sanders for a 37-yard play on Pittsburgh's first drive and later found Will Johnson for a 27-yard gain to set up a field goal as the Steelers (3-1) won a game of backups against the Panthers (2-2).

TEXANS 28, VIKINGS 24:Trindon Holliday had his third kick return for a touchdown of the preseason and Justin Forsett rushed for 114 yards and two more scores as Houston won a preseason finale at home.

Holliday brought back a punt 76 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, bolstering his case to make the Texans (3-1) solely as a special-teams threat. Forsett broke a 52-yard run on Houston's second play from scrimmage and set a Texans rushing record for a preseason game.

RAMS 31, RAVENS 17: Sam Bradford threw three touchdown passes in 11/2 quarters as St. Louis ended the preseason at home.

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher, taking over a franchise that has totaled 15 wins in the past five seasons, used virtually all of his starters until the score was 21-0 on a 9-yard catch by Mike Hoomanawanui with 6:59 to go in the half. Bradford threw five touchdown passes in the preseason, all of them at home for the Rams (2-2).

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