HOUSTON -- Michael Pittman, who got extensive playing time because the Bucs rested starter Charlie Garner, ran for 71 yards on 12 carries and Tampa Bay held Houston to three field goals.\nSeveral starters on both sides were on the sidelines by the end of the scoreless first quarter, leaving reserves jockeying for jobs to play the rest of the night.\nMartin Gramatica did little to allay concerns about his kicking. Gramatica, the one-time star who struggled last year and was just 3-for-6 from 40 or more yards in preseason, was short and wide right on a 47-yarder in the first quarter.\nHe did nail a 20-yarder early in the second quarter to open the scoring after the Texans (1-3) held for three plays at the goal line.\nThe banged-up Bucs did lose guard Kerry Jenkins with a neck strain, while Texans backup running back Tony Hollings left with a thigh bruise. Otherwise, both sides weren't too much worse for wear.
Cowboys 24, Chiefs 20\nIRVING, Texas -- Vinny Testaverde could've had as many interceptions as completions and Eddie George had more carries than yards. Then Tony Romo led the Cowboys on three straight scoring drives and the defense made it hold up in the fourth quarter.\nEven in defeat, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil had to feel good because his starters and their top backups performed well. It was the players lower on the depth chart who let Dallas (3-1) rally and failed to do the same for Kansas City (1-3).\nTrent Green completed 7-of-9 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, then second-stringer Todd Collins went 5-for-5 for 104 yards with a 53-yard TD pass. Pro Bowl safety Jerome Woods had an interception in his return from a hamstring injury and Lawrence Tynes continued his bid to beat out Morten Andersen by making fourth-quarter field goals of 46 and 27 yards.\nLate defensive stands were a plus for the Dallas defense.\nTestaverde was 4-of-10 for 40 yards, with Woods' interception. He missed Keyshawn Johnson all five times he threw his way.
Jaguars 31, Patriots 0\nFOXBORO, Mass. -- New England coach Bill Belichick rested his regulars and Jacksonville routed the remaining Patriots.\nThe Jaguars beat the Super Bowl champs 31-0 Thursday night behind three touchdown passes from Quinn Gray and one from David Garrard, all in the fourth quarter.\nBut starting quarterback Byron Leftwich was disappointed he didn't face the Patriots' first-stringers in the exhibition finale for both teams.\n"You want to compete against those guys, because when you leave the game you will be better," Leftwich said. But, he added, "you understand because they've got a game in a week."
Lions 20, Bills 17\nDETROIT -- Steve Mariucci struggled to get too excited about a preseason victory because a handful of Detroit Lions went down with injuries.\nOn the opening drive, the Buffalo Bills got exactly what they wanted, while the Lions couldn't avoid their worst fear in the final exhibition for both teams.\nDrew Bledsoe led Buffalo's first-string offense to its only touchdown of the preseason, three Detroit defensive backs were hurt and the Lions went on to beat the Bills 20-17 Thursday night.\n"It's nice to get out with a win -- I suppose," said Mariucci, in his second season with the Lions. "But that first series was crazy. I didn't know what to do."\nLions safety Brock Marion (bruised right knee), cornerback Fernando Bryant (neck stinger) and cornerback Rod Babers (shoulder) all left the game with injuries.\nBryant was hurt on the second play from scrimmage, Marion went down three plays later and Babers was also hurt during the first possession.\n"I said, 'You've got to be kidding me,'" Lions president and general manager Matt Millen said.
