Roundup: The Broncos’ Paxton Lynch looks strong in start against the 49ers.
LANDOVER, Md. — Kirk Cousins and the rest of the Washington Redskins’ first-team offense played the full first half Saturday night and did not look ready for prime time. Not at all.
“We stuttered and sputtered,” coach Jay Gruden said, “and missed a few throws and had a couple runs rejected.”
The Redskins didn’t collect a first down until the opening quarter’s final play and Cousins only produced a TD while facing defensive reserves on drive No. 6, while Aaron Rodgers made a surprise start for Green Bay and looked to be in midseason form in the Packers’ 21-17 exhibition victory.
BRONCOS 33, 49ERS 14
In Santa Clara, Calif., Paxton Lynch led three scoring drives in his bid for the starting quarterback job, Denver forced four turnovers in the first half and the Broncos beat the San Francisco 49ers.
Trevor Siemian, who started Denver’s preseason opener a week ago, came off the bench to throw a touchdown pass, C.J. Anderson rushed for 24 yards and a score and Brandon McManus kicked four field goals for the Broncos (2-0).
Denver still isn’t likely much closer to making a decision on whom the starter will be despite vice president of football operations John Elway’s plea earlier this week that one of the two take control of the job.
Lynch was 9 of 13 and showed good pocket presence by scrambling out of trouble a few times, but managed only 39 yards through the air in less than two quarters. Siemian put up more passing numbers (49) on his first drive and finished 8 of 11 for 93 yards.
As good as their offense was, the Broncos’ defense was better despite being without linebackers Von Miller and Brandon Marshall and cornerback T.J. Ward.
Denver converted the three turnovers — two fumble recoveries and an impressive interception by Chris Lewis-Harris, who wrestled the ball from 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin as both men fell to the turf — into 13 points.
LIONS 16, JETS 6
In Detroit, Matthew Stafford threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones in the second quarter, and the Detroit Lions shut down Christian Hackenberg and the New York Jets.
After losing defensive lineman Kerry Hyder to an Achilles tendon injury in their preseason opener at Indianapolis, the Lions were still able to pressure Hackenberg early on. The Jets managed only 3 yards of offense in the first quarter and just two first downs in the first half.
Jets quarterback Josh McCown sat out this game, but Hackenberg did little to impress in his absence. Hackenberg was 2 of 6 for 14 yards and was sacked twice.
TEXANS 27, PATRIOTS 23
In Houston, Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass in his first game since winning the Super Bowl on the same field and the New England Patriots fell to the Texans 27-23.
Brady, who sat out last week, was 6 of 9 for 67 yards while directing the offense for two possessions.
The Patriots punted on their first drive before Brady connected with Rex Burkhead on a 22-yard touchdown throw that tied it at 7-7 early in the second quarter. His performance came in his return to Houston after leading the Patriots back from a 25-point third-quarter deficit to a 34-28 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons to earn his fourth Super Bowl MVP trophy here in February.
CHIEFS 30, BENGALS 12
In Cincinnati, rookie Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of touchdown passes, solidifying his spot as the Chiefs’ primary backup, and three Kansas City quarterbacks threw for a score on Saturday night during a 30-12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kansas City (1-1) got a lot to like out of its offense overall and its top pick in particular.
Mahomes moved into the role of Alex Smith’s backup a week ago and was smooth against the Bengals (1-1), who chased him from the pocket but couldn’t stop his accurate on-the-move throws. Mahomes, the 10th overall pick from Texas Tech, was 10 of 14 for 88 yards with touchdowns of 1 and 7 yards.
TITANS 34, PANTHERS 27
In Nashville, Tenn., Marcus Mariota and the rest of the Titans offense finally got going in the preseason.
With some help from the Panthers.
Mariota threw a touchdown pass and the Titans edged the Panthers.
The Titans (1-1), who were held to just three points last week against the New York Jets, scored on their first three possessions against Carolina, as they used one long drive and two Panthers turnovers to build a 17-0 lead.
LYNCH SITS AGAIN
In Oakland, Calif., Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch once again sat during the national anthem.
Lynch sat on the bench Saturday night while the anthem was played before Oakland’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Lynch also sat last week and told coach Jack Del Rio he has done that throughout his career.
Lynch has not publicly said why he is sitting for the anthem.
Raiders rookie safety Shalom Luani also kneeled during part of the anthem, while star quarterback Derek Carr stood with his arm around teammate Khalil Mack.