New Vets Lift Eagles Over Steelers

The Philadelphia Eagles may not be in bad shape if they are forced to begin the season with second-string quarterback Ty Detmer.

Detmer, starting for the injured Rodney Peete, completed 13 of 20 passes for 230 yards, including two touchdowns to Irving Fryar, as the Eagles held off the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-19 Friday night at Philadelphia.

Kordell Stewart, who lost the starting quarterback battle to Jim Miller earlier in the week, nearly led the Steelers to a victory, throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Andre Hastings with 4 seconds left in the game.

The Steelers (2-3) tried for the two-point conversion that would have won the game, but Fred McAfee was stopped short of the goal line by Brian Dawkins.

Detmer and Fryar, both veterans in their first season with the Eagles, hooked up on two long touchdown passes and Gary Anderson added two field goals as the Eagles ended the exhibition season at 2-2.

Patriots 27, Redskins 19

At Foxboro, Mass., Curtis Martin scored two touchdowns and gained 56 of his 61 yards in the first quarter to lead New England.

Washington’s Gus Frerotte played the first half and completed 8 of 15 passes for 185 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown pass to Leslie Shepherd.

Drew Bledsoe was 11 of 18 in the first half for 126 yards, one touchdown and one interception for New England (3-1). Although he was holding his left, non-throwing, elbow late in the first half and had it packed in ice in the second, there was no announcement of an injury.

The Redskins were 1-3 for the third consecutive preseason.

Falcons 31, Cards 30

At Atlanta, Craig Heyward scored three touchdowns for Atlanta and the Falcons held off a furious rally.

Trailing 31-10 early in the final period, the Cardinals’ backup quarterback, Kent Graham, threw three touchdown passes, the last a 2-yarder to Duane Young with 18 seconds remaining.

Arizona (1-3) went for the victory, but Ryan Terry was stopped short of the goal line on a 2-point try.

Atlanta (2-2) closed the exhibition season with two consecutive victories.

Dolphins 19, Bucs 7

At Tampa, Joe Nedney, whose job was secured when Jimmy Johnson traded Pete Stoyanovich this week, kicked four field goals and Miami forced four turnovers.

The victory was Miami’s second over Tampa Bay (1-3) in a month and the gives the Dolphins (3-1) added momentum going into their first season under Johnson.

Panthers 34, Giants 7

At East Rutherford, N.J., Carolina linebacker Sam Mills and tackle J.C. Price scored on interception returns and defensive end Mark Thomas set up another touchdown, running 40 yards with another errant pass.

Carolina (2-2) picked off four passes overall.

The Giants finished 1-3.

Ravens 37, Bills 14

At Orchard Park, N.Y., Baltimore scored 30 consecutive points in the first three quarters.

Baltimore (3-1) played like it was ready to start the regular season while Buffalo (2-2) looked like it needed more practice.

Lions 24, Bengals 17

At Cincinnati, Richard Woodley returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown and recovered a fumble to set up another one for Detroit.

The Lions finished the preseason 3-1 for the second consecutive year. The Bengals were 2-2.

Jaguars 31, Broncos 24.

At Denver, backup quarterback Rob Johnson threw three touchdown passes, helping rally Jacksonville from an early 17-0 deficit.

The Jaguars (2-2) converted four Denver (3-1) turnovers into 24 points in the second half.

Rams 37, Chargers 34

At St. Louis, Jermaine Ross tied the score with a 28-yard touchdown catch and had two more big plays in the late going.

The Rams (3-1) trailed 31-14 after a first half in which they committed four turnovers, and ended the exhibition season with a three-game winning streak.

Raylee Johnson forced two fumbles, scoring once and setting up a touchdown, for San Diego (2-3).

Saints 16, Vikings 13

At New Orleans, Doug Brien kicked a 53-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to lift the Saints.

Jim Everett played the first half for New Orleans, completing 9 of 18 for 83 yards with one interception. Former Idaho QB Doug Nussmeier played the second half, completing 5-of-12 for 35 yards.

Raiders 44, Jets 27

Host Oakland scored 17 points off turnovers, including Aundray Bruce’s 59-yard fumble return for a touchdown, as the Raiders closed the preseason with a win.

Jets quarterback Glenn Foley was sacked by Lance Johnstone, forcing the key fumble in the third quarter. Bruce scooped up the ball and ran down the left side unchallenged, giving the Raiders a 23-14 lead.