Bears Win, Rams Fall in First Preseason Games

CHICAGO 34, PHILADELPHIA 28

(Chicago) - Zach Miller caught two touchdown passes and the Chicago Bears defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 34-28, in the preseason opener for both teams.

Jay Cutler threw a 10-yard pass to Miller in the back of the end zone late in the first quarter, and Miller caught another touchdown pass from Jordan Palmer in the second.

Cutler finished with 85 yards on 9 of 13 passing for the Bears, whose backups also proved effective. Palmer completed 8 of 11 throws for 104 yards with an interception, while Jimmy Clausen tossed for two scores.

Clausen connected with Chris Williams and Michael Spurlock for TDs after Matt Barkley's scoring strike to David Fluellen had given the Eagles a 28-17 lead early in the second half.

Philadelphia started slow with Nick Foles getting picked off twice in his three possessions under center. Mark Sanchez was an efficient 7-of-10 for 79 yards and led the Eagles' second-team offense to 14 points courtesy of Matthew Tucker's two touchdown runs.

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NEW ORLEANS 26, ST. LOUIS 24

(St. Louis) -- Ryan Griffin threw for 179 yards and a touchdown as the New Orleans Saints opened the preseason with a 26-24 win over the St. Louis Rams. 

Griffin, a second-year product out of Tulane, came on for quarterback Luke McCown and completed 16 of 23 passes. He found first round pick Brandin Cooks for a 25-yard touchdown connection late in the third quarter that proved to be the difference. 

Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson each ran for touchdowns, with Ingram racking up 83 yards on eight carries. Cooks caught five balls for 55 yards in addition to the score for the Saints, who finished with an 11-5 record in 2013 and won their postseason opener against the Eagles.

Veteran signal caller Shaun Hill threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Rams. while Austin Davis picked up 134 yards and a score on 10 for 16 passing.

Both starting quarterbacks, New Orleans' Drew Brees and Sam Bradford of the Rams, were given the night off.