ST. LOUIS — One perfect series and done for Sam Bradford.
No doubt, facing the Baltimore Ravens’ second-string defense made it easier for the No. 1 pick.
Bradford made another favorable impression in his second preseason start, going 6 for 6 for 68 yards and a touchdown to open the St. Louis Rams’ 27-21 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night. A.J. Feeley’s thumb injury gave Bradford his starting shot last week, and the rookie may have done enough to get the nod in the opener Sept. 12 against the Cardinals.
The Ravens (3-1) held out all of their starters, plus backup quarterback Marc Bulger in his return to St. Louis after getting released by the Rams in April, denying fans a shot to either cheer or boo a player who was the starter from 2003-09.
The Rams (3-1) opened with their starters on both sides of the ball, with the notable exception of running back Steven Jackson. They used the game to audition potential backups Kenneth Darby, Chris Ogbonnaya and Keith Toston, who combined for 117 yards on 32 carries.
Baltimore had one highlight-reel play, when reserve linebacker Dannell Ellerbe got a chance to showboat twice on a 57-yard interception return for a score in the second quarter.
Bradford and second-year quarterback Keith Null were a combined 12 for 12 for 131 yards and two touchdowns to open the game for a 14-0 cushion. The run ended on Ellerbe’s interception return.
Bradford’s arm accounted for all but 7 yards of a 10-play, 75-yard drive to open the game. Most of the throws were short and safe, but the big play was a 36-yarder to Danny Amendola that set up a 2-yard scoring pass to Billy Bajema.
Dallas 27, Miami 25
ARLINGTON, Texas — David Buehler kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Dallas past Miami 27-25 in the preseason finale Thursday night.
The pressure kick capped a convincing night for Buehler, who handled only kickoffs as a rookie last season. He also made field goals of 51, 45 and 40 yards, all with plenty of room to spare.
Third-string quarterback Stephen McGee played the entire game for Dallas. He threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Sam Hurd against Miami’s starters, then led the game-winning drive in the final 2 minutes.
The Cowboys’ backups held their own against Miami’s starters in the first 11⁄2 quarters. Reserve linebacker Victor Butler sacked Chad Henne on his final two plays, forcing fumbles on both.
Minnesota 31, Denver 24
MINNEAPOLIS — Denver rookie Tim Tebow outplayed Minnesota’s Tarvaris Jackson in the backup quarterback comparison, but the Vikings forced four first-half turnovers and beat the Broncos 31-24 on Thursday night in the preseason finale for both teams.
Tebow fumbled his first snap, Erin Henderson found the ball and scooted into the end zone from 35 yards out for the Vikings. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and first-round draft pick from Florida then threw a wobbler over the middle that Tyrell Johnson easily intercepted and returned for 41 yards to set up a field goal.
Marquez Branson and Bruce Hall lost fumbles on Denver’s next two drives, and Minnesota led 17-7 at halftime despite a meager 54 yards of offense and a weak, out-of-order performance by Jackson and the second-stringers.
Kansas City 17, Green Bay 13.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle each led touchdown drives and the Kansas City Chiefs beat Green Bay 17-13 Thursday night for their first preseason victory since 2008.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a host of other Green Bay starters didn’t suit up for the final tuneup of the preseason. Backup signal-caller Matt Flynn played into the third quarter and hit 23 of 37 passes for 304 yards, much of it against backups.
Running back Ryan Grant and cornerback Charles Woodson also did not dress for what was expected to be a rainy night but actually remained dry.
