Kimrin Gives Broncos Field Goal of 65 Yards

Ola Kimrin made a 65-yard field goal and Jarious Jackson solidified his spot as Denver’s third quarterback, leading the Broncos over the Seattle Seahawks, 31-0, Thursday night at Denver.

Kimrin, a Swedish kicker who has little chance of making Denver’s roster with Pro Bowler Jason Elam in front of him, made the field goal as time expired in the first half.

The crowd stirred as Kimrin lined up for the kick from his own 45-yard line, then roared as the ball sailed through the uprights with a few yards to spare. He was mobbed by teammates as he ran toward the sideline after the kick.

Elam hit a 63-yard field goal in 1998 to tie Tom Dempsey for the longest in NFL history. Exhibition games do not count in the league record book.

Jackson threw for a touchdown and rushed for another score. Denver (3-1) rested all of its starters, but the backups scored three quick touchdowns after forcing two turnovers in the first three minutes.

Jackson hit Ashley Lelie on a 38-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, then bulled his way in for a four-yard touchdown late in the quarter.

Dallas 28, Jacksonville 25--Cowboy linebacker Markus Steele was taken off the field at Jacksonville, Fla., on a stretcher after straining his neck while making a tackle.

Steele was moving his legs and team officials said he had feeling in all his extremities after the injury in the third quarter. He was taken for precautionary X-rays.

The injury came as Steele, a second-year player from USC, tumbled over Jaguar running back Stacey Mack and his neck rolled awkwardly and appeared to jam into his left shoulder.

Oakland 31, Arizona 3--Marques Tuiasosopo, Rich Gannon’s backup at quarterback, played all but one series in the first half, completing 11 of 16 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions for the Raiders at Oakland.

Just when Tuiasosopo seemed to be marching the Raiders’ first-string offense to the end zone in the team’s second offensive series, Justin Lucas intercepted a pass on the nine-yard line intended for tight end Roland Williams.

New England 28, Washington 14--The Patriots put an emphatic end to Steve Spurrier’s high-scoring exhibition run at Landover, Md.

First-round draft pick Daniel Graham caught two touchdown passes, and Mike Vrabel and rookie Jarvis Green had two sacks apiece for the Patriots.

Spurrier’s Redskins (4-1) were the first team in NFL history to score 35 or more points in four straight exhibition games. They went nowhere this time, trailing, 21-0, at halftime after punting on all but one possession.

Washington gained just 10 yards in the second quarter, and nine of those came on a meaningless play that ran out the clock.

Pittsburgh 17, Minnesota 14--Kordell Stewart’s running and throwing set up two first-half touchdowns for the Steelers at Pittsburgh.

Playing their starters most of the first half--far longer than Coach Bill Cowher usually does in exhibition games--the Steelers put together two long drives to open a 14-0 lead.

Stewart’s 14-yard run got them started on a 98-yard drive highlighted by Jerome Bettis’ 27-yard run and Stewart’s 43-yard completion. Bettis scored from the two on the drive’s ninth play.

The Steelers came right back with an 80-yard drive that got going with Stewart’s 24-yard completion to rookie Antwaan Randle El, who had scored three touchdowns in the previous two exhibition games.

Atlanta 27, Cincinnati 14--Michael Vick showed no lasting effects from a bruised elbow as he completed mostly short-range passes at Cincinnati as the Falcons completed the second undefeated exhibition season in their history.

Vick was five for nine for 78 yards, led two touchdown drives and was sacked twice in the first half, popping up quickly each time he went down.

Gus Frerotte, named the Bengals’ starting quarterback on Monday, was four for six for 67 yards in the first quarter, setting up Brandon Bennett’s 14-yard touchdown run.

Miami 24, Chicago 22--Bear quarterback Jim Miller left with a mild right ankle sprain, backup defensive tackle Christian Peter had X-rays on a sprained right thumb and Dolphin cornerback Patrick Surtain hobbled off the field at Miami with a sore left groin.

But none of the injuries should prevent them from playing in the regular-season opener Sept. 8.

New York Giants 13, Baltimore 0--The Giants got field goals from their shaky kicking duo of Owen Pochman and Matt Bryant, and a late 75-yard scoring pass from Jason Garrett to Jonathan Carter at East Rutherford, N.J.

Detroit 20, Buffalo 13--Mike McMahon and Joey Harrington threw touchdown passes and the Lions forced Sammy Morris to fumble near their goal line late in the fourth quarter at Detroit.