NFL EXHIBITION ROUNDUP : Marino Returns With a Splash

Dan Marino, playing for the first time since tearing his Achilles’ tendon last October, threw a 78-yard touchdown pass for the game’s first score Saturday night to help the Miami Dolphins beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-14, in Miami.

Marino was in for 14 plays for Miami (2-0). Despite rainy weather, he completed three of five passes for 99 yards, including the touchdown to Mike Williams.

“That was pretty sweet after being out for so long,” Marino said. “I still don’t have the confidence I need, but I threw it OK.”

First-round draft choice Charles Johnson stood out in his pro debut for Pittsburgh (0-1). He gained 77 yards on four receptions, including a 30-yard touchdown catch.

Denver 37, Atlanta 16--Former UCLA standout Tommy Maddox threw two touchdown passes, directing the Broncos (1-1) to scores on three of the six series he worked, in a victory over the Falcons (1-1) in Denver.

The 37 points were the most by a Denver team in an exhibition game in six years.

Maddox, replacing starter John Elway late in the first quarter, completed 18 of 28 passes for 291 yards. Fourteen of his completions accounted for first downs.

Tampa Bay 17, Cincinnati 16--It was a situation ripe for Coach Sam Wyche’s trickery.

With quarterback Casey Weldon lined up at wide receiver, single back Vince Workman took a snap direct from center and ran up the middle for a two-point conversion that gave the Buccaneers (1-0) a victory over the Bengals (0-1) in Tampa, Fla.

Weldon (13 for 19 for 146 yards) led each of Tampa Bay’s four scoring drives in a bid to win the No. 3 quarterback job behind Craig Erickson (nine for 11 for 95 yards) and first-round draft pick Trent Dilfer, who signed last Thursday.

Dilfer did not play.

Houston 31, San Diego 3--Reserve quarterback Bucky Richardson led Houston to 19 second quarter points, 16 after four turnovers by San Diego, leading the Oilers (1-1) to a rout of the Chargers (0-2) in San Antonio.

Oiler starter Cody Carlson played a crisp two series, hitting four-of-five passes for 45 yards. Richardson played the second quarter and completed seven-of-15 passes for 117 yards.

Cleveland 24, New York 15--Vinny Testaverde threw a 24-yard touchdown pass late in the first half to give the Browns the lead en route to opening their schedule with a victory over the Giants (0-2) in East Rutherford, N.J.

Ex-Washington quarterback Mark Rypien (five for 11 for 83 yards) replaced Testaverde (13 for 28 for 162 yards) in the fourth quarter and led the Browns to two scores, Matt Stover’s 45- and 21-yard field goals.

Giants starter Kent Graham was 12 for 23 for 122 yards and threw an interception in struggling for the second consecutive game. Dave Brown, edging ahead in the battle to replace Phil Simms, was nine for 15 for 88 yards and an interception on the last play.

Minnesota 17, Kansas City 9--Terry Allen, who missed last season with a knee injury, and Amp Lee rushed for first half touchdowns as the Vikings (1-1) won over the Chiefs (0-2) in Tokyo.

Joe Montana started and played sparingly for the Chiefs, misfiring on all four of his pass attempts.