Eagles hurry past Redskins; Texans put bite on Chargers

Chip Kelly's NFL coaching debut trumped Robert Griffin III's return from knee surgery as the Philadelphia Eagles earned a 33-27 win over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.

Kelly's speedy new-look offense ran 54 plays for 22 first downs in building a 33-7 lead early in the third quarter.

Michael Vick completed 15 of 25 passes for 203 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions for the Eagles.

Vick also ran nine times for 56 yards and a score, augmenting a ground attack that got 31 carries, 184 yards and a touchdown from LeSean McCoy.

Griffin finished 30-for-49 for a career-high 329 yards with two touchdown passes and the two picks for the Redskins. He also had five carries for 24 yards.

In Monday's other game, the Houston Texans wiped out a three-touchdown deficit in the second half to earn a 31-28 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

Randy Bullock's 41-yard field goal on the game's final play clinched the win for the Texans and handed the Chargers a bitter defeat. The decisive drive went 38 yards on nine plays.

The Chargers led 28-7 early in the third quarter before the Texans stormed back.

Suh facing discipline

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh faces discipline from the NFL for diving at Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan's knees during Sunday's game, ESPN reported.

Suh was penalized 15 yards for an illegal block during an interception return by Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy, who scored an apparent touchdown that gave Detroit the lead. But the play was nullified because of Suh's illegal low block away from the play.

Jets going with Geno

Geno Smith will have an opportunity to follow up his solid regular-season debut, with New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan announcing the rookie will start at quarterback on Thursday night at the New England Patriots.

Smith completed 24 of 38 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 18-17 victory over Tampa Bay.

Romo ready to roll

X-rays taken on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo came back negative and he is expected to play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Romo was helped off the field and sat out the team's final offensive play of the first half of its 36-31 win over the New York Giants when he was sandwiched by defensive linemen Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Trattou.

Giant-sized help

The Giants are trying out veteran running backs Brandon Jacobs, Willis McGahee and Joe McKnight after struggling on the ground against the Cowboys. David Wilson was benched after rushing for just 19 yards and losing two fumbles. The Giants gained just 50 yards on 14 carries.

Henne likely to start

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been ruled out of Sunday's Week 2 game at Oakland with a lacerated throwing hand.

Chad Henne, who started six games for the Jaguars last season and has 27 career starts, is expected to get the call against the Raiders (0-1).

Gabbert required 15 stitches after cutting his throwing hand on a defender's helmet.

Dwyer gets the call

The Pittsburgh Steelers will re-sign running back Johnathan Dwyer, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Steelers struggled in Sunday's 16-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans and lost running back LaRod Stephens-Howling for the season. Dwyer was cut by the Steelers in training camp.

Surgery for Vereen

New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen will have wrist surgery and will be sidelined for a few weeks, Fox Sports reported.

Vereen sustained a small bone break in his left wrist early in the Patriots' 23-21 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Busted-up Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and cornerback Ron Brooks are out indefinitely with injuries.

Goodwin sustained a broken hand in the first half of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots while Brooks has a broken foot.

Bears shuffle deck

The Chicago Bears have signed offensive tackle Jonathan Scott to a one-year contract, signed quarterback Jerrod Johnson to the practice squad and waived tight end Kyle Adams.

Ravens lose Jones

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed wide receiver Tandon Doss on Monday after losing Jacoby Jones to an MCL sprain. Jones is expected to be out four to six weeks. He was injured during last Thursday's season-opening loss to the Denver Broncos.

(China Daily 09/11/2013 page22)