Eli Manning got his first dose of real NFL defensive schemes and it had to taste awful.
The top choice in the NFL draft in April, the Giants' quarterback struggled against the New York Jets in a 17-10 loss Friday night. It was the Jets' ninth successive win in the annual preseason series.
The Jets threw all kinds of defensive looks at the Giants, but while starting quarterback Kurt Warner handled them decently and led his team to a first-quarter touchdown on Ron Dayne's 9-yard run, Manning seemed befuddled.
Manning's first pass was intercepted by Donnie Abraham and he was also intercepted by Reggie Tongue in the third quarter. He went 4-for-14 for 20 yards with two interceptions, two sacks and a fumble. Warner was 9-of-11 for 104 yards.
In all, the Jets had five sacks, including John Abraham's in the second quarter on which Manning fumbled. After a scramble for the loose ball, safety Omare Lowe snared the ball and ran it in for a 27-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead.
Doug Brien's 23-yard field goal got the Jets going, and Curtis Martin sparked an 80-yard touchdown drive. Martin had gains of 11 and 10 yards before Chad Pennington found Matt Dominguez on a crossing pattern for a 15-yard score and a 10-7 lead.
Jaguars 9, Packers 7
In Jacksonville, Josh Scobee's confidence grew with every kick. So did his chances of becoming the Jacksonville's kicker.
The rookie took advantage of an opportunity to prove he can be the answer to the Jaguars' kicking woes, booting three field goals to account for all of Jacksonville's points.
Scobee, a fifth-round draft pick from Louisiana Tech, missed three of four field goal attempts in his first two preseason games, but was perfect on tries of 23, 32 and 43 yards against the Packers.
Brett Favre played a half for Green Bay (1-2), throwing a 52-yard touchdown pass to Robert Ferguson in the second quarter.
Favre completed 9-of-14 passes for 127 yards and was intercepted twice before being replaced by Pederson at the start of the third quarter. Tim Couch, who missed practice earlier in the week with a sore arm, did not play.
Byron Leftwich went 13-of-21 for 117 yards for Jacksonville (2-1), but the Jaguars' first-team offense has yet to produce a TD in three games.
Green Bay's Pro Bowl running back, Ahman Green, bruised his kneecap in the second quarter, but was able to walk to the sideline.
Donovin Darius and Rashean Mathis grabbed the Jaguars' interceptions.
Rams 28, Redskins 3
In St. Louis, Torry Holt's 7-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was the first in three games this preseason for the Rams' starting offense.
The breakthrough prompted a hip-gyrating dance from Holt that satisfied a restless crowd and helped St. Louis roll past Washington.
Steven Jackson had 125 yards on 25 carries for the Rams (1-2), including a 5-yard TD run on the Rams' first possession of the third quarter.
Vikings 23, 49ers 10
In Minneapolis, Daunte Culpepper went 20-for-27 for 204 yards and a touchdown, and Minnesota needed help from its reserves to deal San Francisco its third straight exhibition loss.
The Vikings outgained San Francisco 326-61 in total yards in the first half and took a 16-0 lead into halftime before allowing the 49ers to slowly close the gap.
Saints 17, Bears 13
In Chicago, third-team quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan set up his own go-ahead touchdown run with a long pass to lift New Orleans.
RSS