NFL game roundup: RGIII watches Redskins edge Titans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Less than an hour after flawlessly executing a series of bootlegs and playfully tossing several passes left-handed in pregame warmups on Thursday, Robert Griffin III strode onto the field in full uniform and took part in the coin toss as one of the Washington Redskins' team captains.
As expected, though, Griffin remained sidelined for the entirety of the Redskins' 22-21 win over the Tennessee Titans at LP Field in the preseason opener for both teams. Griffin, the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, likely will miss all of the preseason as he recovers from offseason surgery on his right knee.
Washington's third-string quarterback, Pat White, scored on a 9-yard touchdown run with 2:29 remaining to cut Tennessee's lead to 21-20, then followed it up with a completion to tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi for a two-point conversion.
White, the 2007 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, is attempting to make the Redskins' 53-man roster after spending the majority of the past three seasons away from the NFL. He went 5-for-8 passing for 31 yards.
Titans running back Chris Johnson scored a 58-yard touchdown on one of his two carries.
Ravens 44, Buccaneers 16
TAMPA, Fla. -- LaQuan Williams recovered a punt for a touchdown and also scored on a 21-yard reception as defending the Super Bowl champions rolled to a win in their preseason opener.
Tampa Bay running back Peyton Hillis left the game in the third quarter due to a left knee injury. He rushed for 13 yards on four carries.
Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco completed 7-of-9 passes for 57 yards but threw an interception.
Buccaneers wide receiver Kevin Ogletree posted game highs with five receptions and 65 receiving yards.
Broncos 10, 49ers 6
SAN FRANCISCO -- Linebacker Shaun Phillips, in his first preseason action with Denver after nine years with the San Diego Chargers, scored the game's only touchdown on a 9-yard, second-quarter fumble recovery.
San Francisco quarterback Colt McCoy, who is battling with Scott Tolzien to be Colin Kaepernick's backup, left the game in the second quarter with an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder. McCoy's pass was picked off on the play and he didn't return.
McCoy finished 3-for-7 for 41 yards and the one interception. Tolzien hit on 15-of-26 passes for 158 yards and an interception. Kaepernick played one series and was 4-of-4 passing.
Peyton Manning also played one series and completed 2-of-4 passes for 13 yards as the Broncos amassed just 220 yards of total offense. C.J. Anderson rushed for 69 yards on 15 carries.
Seahawks 31, Chargers 10
SEATTLE -- Seattle quarterback Tarvaris Jackson helped his cause in the fight to be Russell Wilson's backup, completing eight of nine passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Brady Quinn, the Seahawks' other QB, went 6-for-11 for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Seahawks rookie running back Christine Michael, a second-round pick from Texas A&M, gained 89 yards on16 carries.
Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o made little impression in his preseason debut, playing two series and finishing without a tackle.
Bengals 34, Falcons 10
ATLANTA -- With quarterback Josh Johnson leading the way, Cincinnati ran for 230 yards on 43 carries en route to a blowout win over Atlanta.
Johnson gained 64 yards on four carries and also went 9-for-16 passing for 100 yards and a touchdown. Rex Burkhead ran nine times for 52 yards and Giovani Bernard had 10 carries for 28 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finished 6-for-9 for 89 yards without an interception or a touchdown pass.
Browns 27, Rams 19
CLEVELAND -- Travis Benjamin's 91-yard touchdown on a punt return gave Cleveland a 17-0 lead in the second quarter and the Browns cruised to a win.
Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden threw for 112 yards, including a 2-yard score to Dion Lewis, while completing 10-of-13 passes.
Rams receiver Chris Givens caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Sam Bradford and finished with three receptions for 82 yards. Bradford went 5-for-8 passing for 102 yards.
