Steelers take advantage of Giants’ turnovers
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rookie quarterback Josh Dobbs threw a 28-yard touchdown pass, and Chris Boswell kicked a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter to give Pittsburgh the lead for good in a 20-12 preseason win over the New York Giants on Friday night.
The Steelers capitalized on two major Giants turnovers in the preseason opener for both teams.
Terrell Watson added a 15-yard touchdown run in a game that had little offense with Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers and Eli Manning of the Giants being given the night off.
Dobbs, a fourth-round draft pick out of Tennessee, hit Cobi Hamilton on his touchdown pass on the first play after Donte Deayon fumbled a punt inside his own 30 and Mike Hilton recovered.
Seven seconds later, Hamilton beat Valentino Blake for a touchdown and a 10-9 lead with 33 seconds left in the half.
The Steelers had six sacks, with Moats getting three and first-round draft pick, T.J. Watt, the brother of J.J., getting two.
BENGALS 23 BUCCANEERS 12
Ryan Fitzpatrick made a good initial impression with Tampa Bay, completing his first series with a 6-yard touchdown run, before Cincinnati pulled away to a victory over the Buccaneers at Cincinnati.
The 34-year-old quarterback signed a one-year deal for a chance to back up Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick had mixed results after his TD, going 6 of 13 overall with an interception.
Tampa Bay opened the game with a 14-play, 92-yard drive but had to settle for a field goal after Adam “Pacman” Jones broke up a pair of Winston’s passes in the end zone.
Andy Dalton had his full complement of receivers and moved the offense smoothly on Cincinnati’s opening drive before Vernon Hargreaves III anticipated Dalton’s sideline throw and picked off a pass at the 1-yard line.
49ERS 27, CHIEFS 17
Alex Smith led Kansas City to a quick touchdown, and first-round pick Patrick Mahomes II had an impressive debut, but visiting San Francisco prevailed.
Smith hit speedster Tyreek Hill for a 32-yard gain on the first play of the game, and Spencer Ware capped a 75-yard march with a short TD run to give the Chiefs a 7-0 lead. It was the only series for Smith, who finished 4-of-6 for 48 yards.
Mahomes came on and finished 7-of-9 for 49 yards and a touchdown.
San Francisco rookie C.J. Beathard hit Kendrick Bourne for a 46-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. Beathard added a short TD pass to Tyler McCloskey with 10:41 left.