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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NFL Games: Bills overcome pregame losses to beat Giants

Associated Press

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the “Bad News” Buffalo Bills overcame another series of preseason distractions to beat the New York Giants 21-0 on Saturday in Orchard Park, New York.

Taylor zipped a 13-yard touchdown pass over the middle to LeSean McCoy to cap his fourth and final series. Backup EJ Manuel then secured the win by leading two touchdown drives on an afternoon that began with Buffalo cutting backup running back Karlos Williams and announcing defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was entering a rehabilitation clinic after he was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy for a second consecutive season.

The Bills gave up on Williams, who reported to training camp out of shape and was also suspended by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy.

“There were other guys on the roster who moved ahead of him,” general manager Doug Whaley said. “In light of that, we thought, ‘Why hold onto him?’”

Carolina 26, Tennessee 16: Cam Newton threw for 162 yards and led scoring drives on two of his four series Saturday and the Panthers defeated the Titans in Nashville, Tennessee.

Newton went 8 of 12 before leaving midway through the second period. He opened the game by leading a 93-yard drive that included Ted Ginn Jr.’s 61-yard touchdown reception.

Tampa Bay 27, Jacksonville 21: Blake Bortles threw two touchdowns passes in three drives and gave the Jaguars an early lead against the Buccaneers, who rallied in Jacksonville, Florida.

Second in the NFL last season with 35 TD passes, Bortles connected with T.J. Yeldon for a 14-yard score in the first quarter and then lofted a 24-yarder to Allen Hurns in the back of the end zone in the second.

Baltimore 19, Indianapolis 18: In his first start since early November, Andrew Luck completed all eight of his passes, led the Colts on two long drives and avoided taking any hits in a loss to the Ravens in Indianapolis.

He opened the game by leading the Colts on a 61-yard drive that set up Adam Vinatieri for a short field goal. He had Indy in position to score again – until Dwayne Allen lost a fumble at the Baltimore 18-yard line.

Houston 16, New Orleans 9: Brock Osweiler threw a touchdown pass and led the Texans’ starting offense to three first-half scores in a win over the Saints in Houston.

New Orleans had a chance to send the game to overtime with an untimed down from the 12-yard line, but third-string quarterback Garrett Grayson threw an interception to cornerback Robert Nelson in the end zone to end the game.

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Los Angeles 21, Kansas City 20: Todd Gurley rushed for a touchdown in his preseason debut, and the Rams defeated the Chiefs in Los Angeles. Gurley, who was held out of exhibition games last season as a rookie while recovering from a torn ACL, rushed for 20 yards on four carries and scored on a 3-yard run.

San Francisco 31, Denver 24: Christian Ponder ran for a score and threw for another in the fourth quarter and the 49ers pulled away to beat the Broncos in Denver. Ponder was signed earlier in the week to bolster the team’s depth at quarterback.

Blaine Gabbert, trying to solidify his hold on the starting quarterback job in Colin Kaepernick’s absence, led a scoring drive and finished 6 of 9 for 69 yards in roughly a quarter and a half of play.