NFL Exhibition Roundup : Schroeder Pass Helps Redskins Win, 17-14

Washington’s Joe Theismann and backup quarterback Jay Schroeder each tossed a touchdown pass Saturday night, and Mark Moseley kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the Washington Redskins a 17-14 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL exhibition opener.

Schroeder, a former UCLA quarterback, teamed with rookie Vincent Hall on an eight-yard pass play five seconds into the final quarter before the Falcons rallied behind quarterback Bob Holly to make it close.

Theismann, who started and played 1 1/2 quarters, connected on a 15-yard scoring pass to Keith Griffin at the 3:28 mark of the second quarter.

The Falcons scored on a 58-yard pass play from Holly to Emile Harry two minutes into the final period, and on a two-yard plunge by Cliff Austin with 5:01 left.

Pittsburgh 42, Tampa Bay 27--Weegie Thompson caught three touchdown passes at Tampa Bay, and the Steelers overcame a 20-0 deficit en route to their 15th straight victory in an exhibition opener.

Before a crowd of 47,447, the Steelers, who trailed, 13-0, before running their second play from scrimmage, spoiled the Tampa Bay coaching debut of Leeman Bennett, former head coach at Atlanta who, before that, was an assistant coach with the Rams.

David Woodley, who replaced Mark Malone for Pittsburgh late in the opening quarter, completed seven of nine passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

Scott Campbell, the third Steeler quarterback, passed for three second-half touchdowns.

Indianapolis 19, Seattle 7--A pair of fourth-quarter pass interceptions set up touchdowns by Robbie Martin and rookie Mark Brooks as the Colts won at Indianapolis.

In the first quarter, Kenny Easley returned an Indianapolis fumble 37 yards for the Seahawks’ touchdown.

Philadelphia 37, New York Jets 17--Herman Hunter’s 97-yard return of the second-half kickoff and Wes Hopkins’ 60-yard scoring run with a fumble helped the Eagles win at East Rutherford, N.J.

New Orleans 32, New England 20--Morten Andersen kicked field goals of 43, 42, 40 and 48 yards as the Saints won at Foxboro, Mass.

Bruce Martin had a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown, Eric Martin caught an eight-yard scoring pass from Dave Wilson and Wayne Wilson had a two-yard touchdown run for the Saints.

Minnesota 16, Miami 13--Jan Stenerud kicked a 25-yard field goal in overtime to give the Vikings the victory at Miami.

The Vikings took the overtime kickoff and drove 72 yards in 11 plays to the eight. Viking quarterback Archie Manning hit Steve Jordan over the middle for 23 yards to get the drive going.

New York Giants 30, Denver 20--Former Ram quarterback Jeff Rutledge passed for two touchdowns, and Ali Haji-Sheikh kicked three field goals as the Giants won before 49,374 at Denver’s Mile High Stadium.

Rutledge connected with Joe Morris on a 25-yard scoring play 4:02 into the game and then teamed with Lee Rouson on a 42-yard touchdown pass play in the fourth quarter.

Dallas 27, Green Bay 3--Rookie linebacker Jesse Penn returned an intercepted pass 78 yards for a Cowboy touchdown early in the fourth quarter at Irving, Tex.

Rookie running back Robert Lavette, a fourth-round pick from Georgia Tech, ran seven yards late in the game for the Cowboys’ final score.

Kansas City 35, Cincinnati 27--Jeff Smith, a rookie from Nebraska, and Michael Gunter ran for fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Chiefs came from behind to win at Cincinnati.

Smith’s six-yard touchdown run with 9:31 remaining capped a six-play, 66-yard drive to put Kansas City ahead for good. Gunter also scored on a one-yard run with 5:38 left.

San Diego 12, Cleveland 7--Rolf Benirschke kicked four field goals, two in the final minutes, to give the Chargers a come-from-behind victory at San Diego.

Cleveland rookie quarterback Bernie Kosar started the second half and completed five of six passes for 32 yards.