Matthew Stafford hopes his first exhibition game was a preview of what's to come this season. He was effective and finished the game without an injury. Stafford threw touchdown passes on his two drives and the Detroit Lions went on to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34-3 Friday night. The No. 1 overall pick in 2009 was able to play just three games last year and 10 as a rookie. “I think we're pretty exciting to watch when all the pieces are together,” Stafford said. The Lions closed last season with a four-game winning streak, finishing 6-10, without their franchise quarterback on the field. They want him along every step of the way this year to help the team match relatively high hopes. Stafford got on and off the field in one piece — registering as more of a win than the score for Detroit — just 5-plus minutes into the exhibition opener for both teams. “Our guys up front did a good job,” he said. “We came into the game thinking about getting the ball out quick, trying to get the ball out of my hands and get it into some other guys' hands and let them make some plays. It ended up being great.” It started off rough for rookie Andy Dalton. Cincinnati's QB was hit by Ndamukong Suh after taking his first NFL snap and Chris Houston intercepted the underthrown pass. Dolphins 28, Falcons 23: Phillip Livas scored on a 75-yard punt return in the third quarter to help Miami overcome a difficult start by quarterback Chad Henne in the Dolphins' 28-23 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta rookie receiver Julio Jones, quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner contributed on first-quarter scoring drives that gave the Falcons a 17-0 lead. Henne threw interceptions on two of Miami's first three possessions before connecting with Brian Hartline for a 44-yard touchdown pass that made it 17-7 early in the second quarter. In other games it was: Redskins 16, Steelers 7; Buccaneers 25, Chiefs 0; Saints 24, 49ers 3.
