Aug 19, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) throws a pass during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Siemian put the 49ers away — and might have put away the race for the Broncos’ quarterback position.
Siemian went 8 of 11 for 93 yards and a touchdown to lead Denver to a 33-14 victory over host San Francisco on Saturday, spoiling the preseason home opener for new 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
Siemian did not start, as Broncos coach Vance Joseph opted to open the game with second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch.
But the competition between the quarterbacks might have effectively ended Saturday, as Lynch looked unsettled and didn’t complete any passes longer than 7 yards, while Siemian pushed the ball downfield and hit wide receiver Jordan Taylor for a 19-yard touchdown that pushed the Broncos’ halftime lead to 20-0.
Chiefs 30, Bengals 12
Patrick Mahomes bolstered his case for Kansas City’s backup quarterback job, passing for 88 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over host Cincinnati.
Tight end Demetrius Harris caught two touchdown passes and rookie Kareem Hunt rushed for 40 yards on eight carries for the Chiefs. Charcandrick West rushed for 113 yards on seven carries and helping Kansas City amass 413 yards of total offense.
The Bengals’ offense got off to a fast start. A 22-yard completion from Andy Dalton to A.J. Green set up Randy Bullock’s 47-yard field goal to put Cincinnati ahead 3-0.
Texans 27, Patriots 23
Tom Savage completed 8 of 9 passes for 98 yards, one score and no interceptions for a pristine 149.1 passer rating in nearly one quarter of action in Houston’s victory over visiting New England.
Savage lobbed a perfect spiral in the back of the end zone to connect with Jaelen Strong, who beat Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler for a leaping 2-yard TD catch. Savage, the new starter, continues to hold off the challenge of gifted first-round draft pick Deshaun Watson.
Tom Brady completed 6 of 9 passes for 67 yards, one touchdown and had no interceptions for the Patriots. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo completed 15 of 23 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Cowboys 24, Colts 19
Dak Prescott posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating as host Dallas defeated Indianapolis.
Prescott completed 7 of 8 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown, a 32-yard strike to receiver Dez Bryant on the opening drive. Backup Kellen Moore went 10 of 21 for 131 yards.
Colts backup quarterback Scott Tolzien started for Andrew Luck, who remains sidelined with a right shoulder injury. Tolzien completed 10 of 14 passes for 70 yards and led Indianapolis to a field goal in his five first-half drives.
Packers 21, Redskins 17
Quarterback Taysom Hill ran 23 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 6:16 remaining as visiting Green Bay defeated Washington.
The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, who saw preseason action only during Week 3 a year ago, played the first series, completing 6 of 8 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. He ran twice for 15 yards. Backup Brett Hundley, was 9 of 10 for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Kirk Cousins played the first half for the Redskins, finishing 14 of 23 for 144 yards and one touchdown. Washington rookie running back Semaje Perine rebounded from a rough debut (six carries, 15 yards), gaining 45 yards on eight carries and adding a 29-yard reception.
Lions 16, Jets 6
Matthew Stafford connected with Marvin Jones on a 5-yard scoring strike and Matt Prater kicked three field goals in host Detroit’s victory over New York.
Stafford, who played three series, looked sharp while completing eight of 10 passes for 84 yards. Backup Jake Rudock also threw for 84 yards while completing 8 of 13 passes with an interception.
Christian Hackenberg started at quarterback for the Jets and played the entire first half but connected on only 2 of 6 passes for 14 yards. Bryce Petty played the second half and completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 160 yards while getting intercepted.
Bears 24, Cardinals 23
Deonte Thompson returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown at the end of the second quarter as Chicago hung on to defeat host Arizona.
The Cardinals rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final two minutes to almost steal the victory, but after a 52-yard field goal with 1:25 to play and a 3-yard touchdown pass by Blaine Gabbert with nine seconds left, Arizona couldn’t connect on a two-point conversion.
Bears quarterback Mike Glennon shook off last week’s disappointing performance by completing 13 of 18 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted once, but it wasn’t for a pick six like it was in his Bears debut against Denver.
Rams 24, Raiders 21
Sean Mannion guided Los Angeles on a fourth-quarter touchdown drive, connecting with Josh Reynolds on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 left to defeat Oakland.
Jared Goff was sharp while playing into the second quarter, throwing for 160 yards on 16-of-20 passing with one touchdown for the Rams. He marched Los Angeles to two touchdowns and a field goal on three of his four drives.
The Raiders’ Derek Carr, making his first appearance since breaking his leg on the second-to-last week of the 2016 season, finished 7 of 9 with 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Titans 34, Panthers 27
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Marcus Mariota was 6 of 8 for 61 yards and a touchdown in Tennessee’s victory over Carolina.
Mariota’s 4-yard touchdown pass went to Delanie Walker and gave the Titans a 10-0 lead. Derek Henry rushed 16 times for 36 yards and two touchdowns for Tennessee.
The Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey rushed three times for 33 yards and a touchdown while recording a 38-yard reception among his two catches. His 17-yard TD run resulted in Carolina’s first points.
