Eli struggles against Jets

Eli Manning got his first dose of real NFL defensive schemes and it had to taste awful.

The top choice in the NFL draft in April, the Giants’ quarterback struggled against the New York Jets in a 17-10 loss Friday night. It was the Jets’ ninth successive win in the annual preseason series in East Rutherford, N.J.

Usually, exhibition games feature vanilla defenses. But the Jets threw all kinds of defensive looks at the Giants, from both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments, with frequent safety blitzes and a nice mix of coverages. While Giants starting quarterback Kurt Warner handled them decently and led his team to a first-quarter touchdown on Ron Dayne’s 9-yard run, Manning seemed befuddled.

“I never got in a groove,” Manning admitted. “I made bad decisions, I made mental mistakes. I’ve got to learn from this and get better.”

Manning’s first pass was intercepted by Donnie Abraham, who jumped in front of the rookie’s intended receiver. Abraham also picked off Eli’s brother, NFL co-MVP Peyton Manning, last week in Indianapolis. But Abraham left the game after bruising his knee.

“The first play, the flat wasn’t open, I tried to force it in. I should have thrown the ball away,” he said.

Manning also was intercepted by Reggie Tongue in the third quarter, missed badly on several other passes and never looked comfortable in going 4 for 14 for 20 yards with two interceptions, two sacks and a fumble.

His performance could cost him in the Giants’ QB derby, because Warner was 9 of 11 for 104 yards.

Broncos 31, Texans 17

Jake Plummer threw for 159 yards, ran for score and led Denver’s top unit to its first two touchdowns of the preseason, lifting the Broncos to a victory over visiting Houston.

David Carr threw for 114 yards and a touchdown on 9 of 14 passing for Houston.

Rams 28, Redskins 3

Torry Holt’s 7-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was the first in three games this preseason for the Rams’ starting offense, prompting a hip-gyrating dance that satisfied a restless crowd and helped St. Louis roll past visiting Washington.

St. Louis’ first-string defense also got into the act, forcing their first turnover of the preseason against the inept Redskin offense.

Vikings 23, 49ers 10

Daunte Culpepper went 20 for 27 for 204 yards and a touchdown, and Minnesota overcame it struggles to finish off drives, beating visiting San Francisco.

Running back Michael Bennett and left tackle Bryant McKinnie sprained their right knees on the first unit’s only series of the third quarter. Both were hurt on a 10-yard rush that was called back because of a penalty and each walked off the field.

Saints 17, Bears 13

Third-team quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan set up his own go-ahead touchdown run with a long pass as New Orleans won in Chicago.

The sloppy game at Soldier Field took 3 1/2 hours to play and featured 30 penalties, including 18 on the Bears (2-1).

Jaguars 9, Packers 7

Josh Scobee took advantage of an opportunity to prove he can be the answer to the Jaguars’ kicking woes, booting three field goals as Jacksonville beat visiting Green Bay.

Scobee, a fifth-round draft pick from Louisiana Tech, was perfect on tries of 23, 32 and 43 yards against the Packers.