Carter Directs Cowboys Past Raiders, 20-6

Quincy Carter directed the Dallas Cowboys to scores on their first three possessions Friday night, spoiling the exhibition coaching debut of Bill Callahan with a 20-6 victory over the Oakland Raiders at Irving, Texas.

Carter, who started eight games in an injury-plagued rookie season last year, had a promising start in new offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet’s West Coast-style offense. He played the first half, completing 10 of 13 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown, and running twice for 24 yards.

Callahan, who was promoted from offensive coordinator when Jon Gruden went to Tampa Bay, saw the Raiders turn in a sloppy performance that featured no touchdowns and 17 penalties for 170 yards.

Rich Gannon led a long scoring drive on Oakland’s opening possession, completing a 39-yard pass to Jerry Porter to set up Sebastian Janikowski’s 29-yard field goal with 3:46 left in the first quarter.

Callahan removed most of his starters after that series, and from that point on, the Raiders struggled behind second-year quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo.

Baltimore 12, Detroit 6--Will Demps intercepted a pass by Joey Harrington and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown with 1:55 left, giving the Ravens a victory at Baltimore.

The Lions gave up eight sacks and managed only two field goals by Jason Hanson, one of which was set up by a 51-yard interception return by Brian Walker.

Raven quarterback Chris Redman completed 10 of 20 passes for 93 yards with an interception, and backup Jeff Blake completed eight of 15 for 75 yards.

Atlanta 23, Jacksonville 13--Michael Vick led two scoring drives and first-round draft pick T.J. Duckett got off to promising start for the Falcons at Atlanta.

Vick was seven for 12 for 58 yards and guided the Falcons to two field goals in the first half.

Duckett, a 254-pound running back, ran 10 times for 55 yards, including a 25-yard gain that featured a ferocious stiff arm.

Cincinnati 24, Buffalo 17--In a little more than one quarter, Drew Bledsoe went nine for 11 for 136 yards, threw two touchdown passes and had one pass intercepted for the Bills at Orchard Park, N.Y.

The Bengals won the game in the second half with the second- and third-stringers on the field. Akili Smith hit Sean Brewer with a strike in traffic for the go-ahead, eight-yard touchdown with 2:42 left in the third quarter.