Around the NFL: Quarterbacks sharp for Packers and Rams

Aaron Rodgers and Sam Bradford each threw a touchdown pass in their preseason debuts and played into the second quarter in the Green Bay Packers’ 21-7 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Saturday.

Rams rookie Michael Sam played in the second half and got his first sack of the preseason, dropping Matt Flynn for a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

For Sam, the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year with 11 1/2 sacks for Missouri and now the NFL’s first openly gay player, it seemed like a long time coming. “Finally. I finally got that under my belt, so it feels good,” Sam said.

Rodgers completed 11 of 13 for 128 yards and a three-yard score to Randall Cobb in a no-huddle offense on the opening series. Bradford showed plenty of mobility in his first action since season-ending left knee surgery last November. He completed nine of 12 for 101 yards and an 11-yard touchdown pass to Lance Kendricks.

Other exhibitions

Deonte Thompson returned a kickoff 108 yards for a score after Dallas’ Tony Romo threw a touchdown pass in his first game since back surgery last season, and Joe Flacco led three scoring drives in Baltimore’s 37-30 victory over the Cowboys. The Ravens (2-0) also got a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown when Courtney Upshaw picked up a botched handoff from Romo and stayed on his feet while Romo tried to drag him down by his jersey. Romo’s final play was a 31-yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant midway through the first quarter.

Andy Dalton completed all eight of his passes and led the Bengals to a pair of touchdowns and a field goal during three impressive series before the New York Jets’ reserves rallied for a 25-17 victory. It was Dalton’s first home game since he signed a six-year contract extension that showed Cincinnati’s commitment.

Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes in less than a half of work and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Buffalo Bills, 19-16.

EJ Manuel completed 17 of 27 passes for 148 yards and an interception while playing the entire first half for Buffalo, but the Bills’ starting offense failed to reach the end zone for the third straight game.

Ryan Nassib led the New York Giants to two touchdowns in the final four minutes, completing a huge fourth-quarter comeback with a 27-26 victory. New York trailed 26-0 early in the fourth, but the Colts couldn’t hold on. Eli Manning completed one of six passes for seven yards.

Etc.

Former Super Bowl most valuable player Santonio Holmes signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, who were looking for a third receiver behind stars Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. A first-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2006, Holmes was the Super Bowl MVP in his third year. He had his best season statistically the following year in 2009 with 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns. But he was traded to the New York Jets the following offseason.

Cam Newton will see his first game action since undergoing ankle surgery in March when the Carolina Panthers host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Panthers Coach Ron Rivera expects Newton to play at least a quarter, but he said it’s possible the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback could get additional time.