NFL EXHIBITION

Packers cut through Raiders

PACKERS 31, RAIDERS 21

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- With a stable of running backs now complementing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers offense could be as potent as ever this season.

Rodgers threw for two touchdowns, Eddie Lacy rumbled for a 1-yard score on the Packers' opening drive and prized free-agent acquisition Julius Peppers recorded his first sack of the preseason in the Packers' 31-21 victory Friday night over the Oakland Raiders.

The game was stopped for several minutes in the second quarter after Raiders linebacker Sio Moore was taken off the field with a neck injury. He gave a thumb-up sign while the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Moore was taken to a hospital.

The Raiders also lost two other defensive starters to head injuries in cornerback Tarell Brown and linebacker Nick Roach.

A first-team defense that allowed three touchdown drives in four possessions in the first two preseason games had its ups and down against Rodgers, who finished 9 of 20 for 139 yards playing into the second quarter.

Matt Schaub played into the third, finishing 13 of 27 for 110 yards for Oakland. Backup Matt McGloin threw for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to Brice Butler, from 19 and 28 yards. McGloin finished 10 of 17 for 162 yards.

Lacy just played in the first series, but the 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year had the Raiders on their heels. He finished with six rushes for 36 yards and the touchdown.

Backup running back DuJuan Harris added 56 yards on 12 carries, and added 42 yards on two catches. A Raiders defense that allowed an average of 89.5 yards over the first weeks allowed 78 in the first half.

The game inched along slowly by the middle of the third quarter with the Packers up by three scores and backups competing littering both lineups.

The Raiders' only touchdown came on their second series of the first half after a handful of missed tackles helped Maurice Jones-Drew dart 40 yards for a score to tie it at 7.

The Packers first-team defense, getting its more extensive playing time of the preseason, held Oakland scoreless from there.

Jones, though, no longer has Rodgers throwing him the ball.

The 2011 NFL MVP's completion rate would have been higher if not for a handful of drops. He connected on touchdowns to tight end Andrew Quarless and receiver Jordy Nelson.

PATRIOTS 30, PANTHERS 7

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady's offense and the New England Patriots' defense dominated the Carolina Panthers.

Brady threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns, Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 60-yard field goal and the Patriots shut down Cam Newton and the Panthers.

The third preseason game for both teams was no contest as the Patriots outgained the Panthers 405-271.

Brady led the Patriots (2-1) to scores on three of his five series and completed 17 of 21 passes. Newton was 8 for 12 for 88 yards and was sacked 3 times. All five of his possessions ended in punts.

Brady played the first two series before Ryan Mallett came in for some snaps against the first-string defense. His drive ended with a 47-yard field goal by Gostkowski.

GIANTS 35, JETS 24

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Geno Smith and Michael Vick each threw touchdown passes with the New York Jets' starting offense, and the defense mostly shut down Eli Manning before the Giants' backups rallied for a preseason victory.

Smith was 9 of 14 for 137 yards, including a 1-yard scoring toss to rookie Jace Amaro. Vick replaced Smith to start the second half, and after a rough first series in which he was sacked and lost a fumble, he led an 11-play, 76-yard drive capped by a go-ahead 3-yard touchdown to Eric Decker. Vick finished 4 of 5 for 34 yards in his two series for the Jets (2-1).

Manning, still adjusting to new coordinator Ben McAdoo's offense, struggled most of the way but hit Rueben Randle for a 15-yard touchdown with 5 seconds left before halftime. Manning was 12 of 21 for 139 yards for the Giants (4-0).

LIONS 13, JAGUARS 12

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Reggie Bush broke free for an 86-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, one of only a few offensive highlights as the Detroit Lions edged the Jacksonville Jaguars in a penalty-filled game.

Calvin Johnson played for the first time this preseason, catching two passes for 27 yards, but Matthew Stafford was intercepted once and the Lions struggled in the red zone.

Blake Bortles threw for 158 yards and a touchdown for the Jaguars. Jacksonville started Chad Henne, but Bortles -- the third pick in this year's draft -- was impressive in relief. He completed 10 of 16 passes, including a 13-yard touchdown to Allen Hurns.

The teams combined for 27 penalties.

Sports on 08/23/2014

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