NFL roundup: Sanchez shines in debut

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Mark Sanchez completed a 48-yard pass to David Clowney on his first NFL play, and the Jets rookie engineered an early scoring drive in New York's 23-20 loss to the St. Louis Rams on Friday night.

Thomas Jones' 1-yard touchdown dive capped Sanchez's only series of the night, but the Rams rallied to make a winner of Steve Spagnuolo in his head coaching debut.

Sanchez, selected with the fifth overall pick, came in to a loud ovation with 28 seconds left in the first quarter. He took the snap and lofted a pretty pass down the right sideline into Clowney's hands for a big gain.

Seven plays later, Jones took the handoff and leaped over the pile, the ball crossing the goal line before Todd Johnson knocked it out of Jones' hands. Spagnuolo challenged the call, but it was upheld by video review.

Sanchez, with several family members in attendance, completed three of four passes for 88 yards in Rex Ryan's first game as New York's head coach.

Spagnuolo, who interviewed for the Jets job, won in his return to the Meadowlands for the first time as a head coach. Spagnuolo was the defensive coordinator for the Giants the last two seasons.

49ers 17, Broncos 16

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Kyle Orton threw interceptions in his first three series during a disastrous Denver debut, while San Francisco's two quarterback candidates were steady in the 49ers' victory.

Alex Smith threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Brit Miller following Orton's third first-half pick in the exhibition opener for both teams, a night featuring the return to Candlestick Park of former 49ers coach Mike Nolan as Denver's defensive coordinator.

San Francisco starter Shaun Hill completed two crisp passes to tight end Vernon Davis for 41 yards while leading the Niners on a 58-yard scoring drive to start the game, capped by Alex Romero's 38-yard field goal.

Chris Simms nearly led Denver to victory with a big second half. After Miller's second TD of the night on a 40-yard reception from Damon Huard put the 49ers up 17-10, Simms hit Kenny McKinley on a 52-yard TD pass with 2:01 left, but the Broncos failed on the 2-point conversion.

Vikings 13, Colts 3

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Sage Rosenfels led Minnesota on scoring drives on the first two series, helping the Vikings beat Indianapolis.

Rosenfels completed 10 of 13 passes for 91 yards to take the early lead in the team's quarterback duel. Chester Taylor scored the game's only touchdown on a 5-yard run in the first quarter. Tarvaris Jackson, last year's starting quarterback, completed seven of 15 passes for 39 yards and led the Vikings to a field goal.

Indy went into typical preseason mode for coach Jim Caldwell's debut. Five offensive starters and the top five defensive backs all sat out. Peyton Manning took only six snaps and was sacked three times, and the Vikings outgained Indy 147-0 in the first quarter.

Saints 17, Bengals 7

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Carson Palmer, playing for the first time since an elbow injury sidelined him early last season, completed seven of 11 passes for 133 yards in Cincinnati's loss to New Orleans.

Palmer's only mistake came on Jonathan Vilma's interception. Palmer left the game late in the first quarter, moments after his quick sideline throw to Chad Ochocinco produced a 55-yard gain. Palmer was playing with a mild left ankle sprain at that point, but he said afterward the injury was minor.

Jeremy Shockey caught his first touchdown pass as a Saint, a 22-yarder between two defenders from Drew Brees. Mark Brunell also threw a scoring pass for the Saints, a 64-yarder to Robert Meachem.