John Elway is having fun even as he increases his workload.
Calling his own plays for the first time in a nine-season career, Elway ran and passed the Broncos to a stunningly easy 45-14 romp over the Bengals as the NFL opened the regular season on Sunday.On a day when the Eagles' Randall Cunningham likely had his season ended with torn knee ligaments and the Seahawks' Dave Krieg had his at least severely shortened by a broken thumb, the NFL got a big day from one of its biggest names.
"That was as much fun as I've had in a game in a long time," Elway said after reaching into his bag of tricks and coming out with two touchdown passes, two TD runs and 471 yards. What made it more fun was that the Broncos had averaged a mere 10 points and 225 yards a game in exhibition play.
A measure of how surprised the Bengals must have been could be seen in the dazed look of Broncos coach Dan Reeves, who had no idea he'd have such as easy time against one of the league's better teams.
"We just had a good, solid performance offensively," he said. "I talked earlier in the week about the apprehension I had, not knowing how we were going to play. Obviously, we made some progress from the preseason."
"That's what happens when you execute on offense and your defense makes big plays," Elway said.
In a league that treasures its quarterbacks, Elway's performance was one of the few brights spots.
Cunningham, the NFC Pro Bowl starter the last three years, had his season likely come to an end when he was hit as he threw a pass early in the second quarter against the Packers. He tore two ligaments in his left knee and, according to the team doctor, was probably facing surgery.
The Eagles didn't seem to miss Cunningham against the Packers, however. Old pro Jim McMahon threw for two touchdowns and the defense did the rest in a 20-3 victory.
The Seahawks got a lift from their sub quarterback, Jeff Kemp, after Krieg went out with a broken thumb on his right hand. But the Saints edged the Seahawks 27-24 behind the late heroics of Bobby Hebert, who was making his return after sitting out last season in a contract dispute.
Hebert's 10-yard throw to Floyd Taylor with 1:11 left won it.
Kemp had a late touchdown pass wiped away when receiver Tommy Kane was ruled out of bounds, and a 15-yard penalty for arguing that call pushed kicker John Kasay back just far enough to miss a 37-yard field goal attempt that would have tied it.
Redskins 45, Lions 0
Darrell Green set up two touchdowns with pass interceptions and Brian Mitchell returned a punt 69 yards for a score at RFK Stadium. Mark Rypien passed for two TDs and Earnest Bynar scored one and threw a halfback pass to Ricky Sanders for another.
Steelers 26, Chargers 20
For the first time in three years, the Steelers got a TD pass in a season opener. Bubby Brister threw it and Gary Anderson kicked four field goals. John Friesz, making his second start, threw for only 75 yards through three quarters in Pittsburgh.
Patriots 16, Colts 7
In Indianapolis, Jason Staurovsky kicked three field goals and Tommy Hodson threw for a touchdown. The Patriots ended a 14-game losing streak dating to their last meeting with the Colts, a 16-14 victory. Dick MacPherson won in his NFL coaching debut.
Bears 10, Vikings 6
Jim Habaugh passed for a touchdown and Kevin Butler kicked a field goal on an afternoon when the defenses held center stage in Chicago's home opener. The Bears made the Vikings settle for field goals of 26 and 24 yards by Fuad Reveiz.
Bills 35, Dolphins 31
At Rich Stadium, Jim Kelly came back after spraining his left ankle to throw for 381 yards and a touchdown. Thurman Thomas accounted for 267 yards rushing and receiving, scoring twice. Dan Marino passed for three TDs and is sixth all-time with 243.
Oilers 47, Raiders 17
Warren Moon passed for two touchdowns and ran for one and the Oilers set up three touchdowns with turnovers in the Astrodome. The Raiders had the ball for 77 seconds in the first period.
Cardinals 24, Rams 14
Tom Tupa ran for one touchdown and passed for another as the Cardinals overcame the loss through injury of last year's starting quarterback, Timm Rosenbach. The Rams helped the Cards by turning the ball over six times at Anaheim Stadium.
Cowboys 26, Browns 14
In Cleveland, Troy Aikman passed for 274 yards and two touchdowns in helping to ruin the coaching debut of the Browns' Bill Belichick. Ken Willis also kicked four field goals. The Browns cut it to 20-13 on Bernie Kosar's 62-yard TD pass to Webster Slaughter on the first play of the second half.
Jets 16, Bucs 13
Pat Leahy, the NFL's oldest player at age 40, kicked three field goals, including a 40-yarder with 1:22 to play in the Meadowlands. Blair Thomas, who ran for 92 yards, kept the final drive alive and Ken O'Brien's 25-yard pass to Rob Moore set the stage for the deciding kick.
Chiefs 14, Falcons 3
In Kansas City, Christian Okoye ran for 143 yards, scoring on a 4-yard run and bolting 48 yards to key a 91-yard drive capped by Steve DeBerg's 6-yard pass to Emile Harry.