LANDOVER, Md. – Robert Griffin III was the last player announced during pregame ceremonies. He emerged from the tunnel, through the large inflatable Washington Redskins football helmet and onto the field, raising both arms to pump up a crowd eager for his first head-to-head matchup with Andrew Luck.

Like everything else about the rookie, Griffin was doing something new, but looking as if he’d done it before.

“I’ve never had my own introduction ever, high school or college, so that was extremely fun with the smoke and everything,” Griffin said. “It was like you’re in a movie.”

In many ways, Saturday’s game was promoted like a movie opening, the curtain raiser for a budding quarterback rivalry between the Nos. 1 and 2 picks in the draft. The co-stars responded with a display of A-list poise and promise as Griffin’s Redskins defeated Luck’s Indianapolis Colts, 30-17.

Top pick Luck completed 14 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown to fellow rookie T.Y. Hilton.

Heisman Trophy winner Griffin went 11 of 17 for 74 yards and a scoring throw to veteran Santana Moss.

Both quarterbacks played one series into the third quarter in the teams’ dress rehearsal for the regular season, with the Redskins ahead 14-7 when the subs took over.

“I haven’t had any overall bad performances for myself. I thought he did a good job out there as well,” Griffin said. “They blew this up as a head-to-head, and we’ll see what happens next.”

STEELERS 38, BILLS 7: Receiver Antonio Brown scored two touchdowns in leading Pittsburgh at Orchard Park, N.Y.

Ben Roethlisberger shook off a slow start by engineering an 11-play, 98-yard touchdown drive for the go-ahead score with a 6-yard pass to Brown at the end of the first half. Brown then opened the second half with a 39-yard touchdown catch from backup Byron Leftwich in helping the Steelers improve to 2-1.

RAIDERS 31, LIONS 20: Matthew Stafford threw for 68 yards until leaving with an injury to his non-throwing hand as Detroit lost at Oakland, Calif.

Defensive end Dave Tollefson drove Stafford to the ground after an incomplete pass in the second quarter. Trainers wrapped Stafford’s left hand in heavy bandages and a brace on the sideline. Shaun Hill took over on Detroit’s next possession.

COWBOYS 20, RAMS 19: Tony Romo threw for 198 yards with two long touchdowns to Dwayne Harris while playing only the first quarter, and Dallas won at Arlington, Texas.

In what was supposed to be Romo’s most extensive action of the preseason, he showed more than enough to Coach Jason Garrett in three offensive drives, even with his top three pass-catchers hurt and not playing.

SAINTS 34, TEXANS 27: Matt Schaub and Drew Brees looked sharp in a high-scoring first half, and Joe Morgan’s touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter lifted New Orleans at home.

Schaub completed 15 of 18 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown, but three turnovers by Houston helped the Saints stay close despite two fumbles of their own.

NOTES

JAGUARS: Left tackle Eugene Monroe and linebacker Daryl Smith are back at practice after injuries.

Both are expected to play in Thursday night’s preseason finale against Atlanta.

n Jacksonville waived eight players, including veteran cornerback Ashton Youboty.

STEELERS: Rookie right guard David DeCastro was carted off the field after hurting his right knee early into the game against Buffalo.

DeCastro was hurt while pass blocking. DeCastro’s right leg twisted beneath him after being bowled over by defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.

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