Twelve NFL teams were in action in the early hours of this morning for their first games of the pre-season.
Three first-half turnovers and a missed field goal by the San Francisco 49ers helped the Denver Broncos to a 10-6 win over the Super Bowl runners-up.
Shaun Phillips returned a DJ Harper fumble for the only touchdown of the game, while Mike Adams intercepted an effort from 49ers backup quarterback Colt McCoy, who later left the game with a shoulder injury.
Starting QBs Peyton Manning and Colin Kaepernick each played just one series for their respective teams.
The Baltimore Ravens cruised to a 44-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with both teams choosing to use their starting quarterbacks sparingly.
Joe Flacco's backup Tyrod Taylor made two touchdown passes for the Super Bowl champions, including a 21-yard completion to LaQuan Williams.
It was also a comfortable night for the Ravens' AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, as they beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-10.
Bengals quarterback Josh Johnson passed for 100 yards from 16 attempts, including a touchdown pass to Brandon Tate.
Meanwhile, rookie running back Giovani Bernard scored a touchdown and added 28 rushing yards during his first game for the side.
A strong performance by Tavaris Jackson ensured a 31-10 win for the Seattle Seahawks over the San Diego Chargers.
The quarterback, who is competing with Brady Quinn to be Russell Wilson's backup, threw two touchdown passes and completed 128 passing yards for the NFC West side.
Jackson connected with Stephen Williams and Derrick Coleman in the fourth quarter, while Quinn picked out Jermaine Kearse towards the end of the first half.
Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o had little involvement during his debut for the team, making no tackles.
The Washington Redskins edged to a narrow 22-21 win over the Tennessee Titans during their pre-season opener.
Kirk Cousins started the game while Robert Griffin III continues his recovery from a knee ligament injury, before Rex Grossman entered to record 119 passing yards and complete a touchdown pass.
Running back Chris Johnson looked sharp for the Titans, finding the end zone after a 58-yard run, while Shonn Greene also added a touchdown from a 19-yard rush.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden remained in the game for longer than many starters during his team's 27-19 win over the St Louis Rams as he tries to retain his place in the team.
Weeden, who is preparing for his second year in the NFL, threw a touchdown pass while leading the side on two scoring drives.
Sam Bradford had an impact during his time on the field for the Rams, completing a three-yard touchdown pass to Chris Givens.
Results in full: Baltimore Ravens 44-16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals 34-10 Atlanta Falcons, St Louis Rams 19-27 Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins 22-21 Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos 10-6 San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks 31-10 San Diego Chargers.
Sian Cowper
