NFL NOTES Manning: ‘We Can Build on This’

Tebow Struggles in Debut; RB Charles Leads Chiefs

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Baby steps, not giant leaps. That’s how quarterback Peyton Manning is marking his comeback. So, he was glad to get his first game in 19 months out of the way and use it as a building block.

Manning was uneven in Denver’s exhibition opener at Chicago on Thursday night — a 31-3 Broncos victory — even though he didn’t have to contend with Julius Peppers or ex-Lobo Brian Urlacher and had plenty of time to throw.

His first pass was broken up, his second toss tipped and his last throw picked off at the goal line. In between, there were some very good signs for Manning and the Broncos, including a 19-yard completion to Eric Decker on third-and-17.

“It felt good to get out there,” Manning said. “We can build on this.”

BENGALS 17, JETS 6: In Cincinnati, Tim Tebow completed only four passes and threw an interception in his debut with New York on Friday night as Cincinnati pulled away to an exhibition win.

The Jets let their celebrated newcomer play the second quarter and most of the third. He led the Jets to a field goal and was 4-for-8 passing for 27 yards, which translated to a passer rating of 18.2.

CHIEFS 27, CARDINALS 17: In Kansas City, Mo., Jamaal Charles took a solid hit to the left knee on his first carry, then bounced right up and helped Kansas City score touchdowns on its first two possessions en route to a victory over Arizona.

Charles had 12 yards on three carries and caught one pass for 11 yards in his first action since ACL surgery on the left knee in September.

BUCS 20, DOLPHINS 7: In Miami Gardens, Fla., Tampa Bay got off to a good start under new coach Greg Schiano, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions in a win over Miami.

JAGUARS 32, GIANTS 31: In Jacksonville, Fla., New York scored on four consecutive series after being stopped on its opening drive in a solid performance against the host Jaguars, who responded with an 18-point second half.

BROWNS 19, LIONS 17: In Detroit, Jeff Wolfert kicked a 45-yard field goal with 28 seconds left to lift Cleveland past Detroit.

The banged-up Browns took another hit when rookie Brandon Weeden threw to Mohamed Massaquoi and the wide receiver left the game with a head injury.

49ERS 17, VIKINGS 6: In San Francisco, Alex Smith tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Brett Swain on the opening possession and backup Colin Kaepernick ran 78 yards for a score on the next as the host 49ers breezed past Minnesota.

CHARGERS: RB Ryan Mathews had surgery Friday on his broken collarbone and is expected to miss four to six weeks.