SAN FRANCISCO — The Battle of the Bay had plenty of empty preseason drama, keeping the bipartisan crowd enthralled until a sure touchdown pass bounced off Alvis Whitted's hands with 5 seconds left.

The most important developments in the 49ers' friendly rivalry game with Oakland were less theatrical. Daunte Culpepper looked ready to run the Raiders, but San Francisco put a good start and a better finish on its win.

Culpepper passed for 75 yards and threw touchdown passes to John Madsen and Zack Crockett before 49ers rookie Thomas Clayton scored on a 1-yard plunge with 47 seconds left in San Francisco's 26-21 preseason victory last night.

Former University of Hawai'i standout Ashley Lelie caught four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown for the 49ers.

"The struggles that go with preseason, I welcome them all, because it gives us something to work on," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said.

Culpepper went 6 of 8, didn't throw an interception and even scrambled 13 yards for a first down while leading the Raiders to a 21-13 lead.

"I still have to get caught up," Culpepper said. "I'm months behind everybody with the terminology. I just have to continue to work at it."

Lions 23, Browns 20: Brady Quinn threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in his first NFL exhibition game and looked better than any Cleveland quarterback in the host Browns' (1-1) loss to Detroit (2-0).

Quinn finished 13 of 20 — with three spikes to stop the clock — for 155 yards.

Texans 33, Cardinals 20: Matt Schaub was 9 of 12 for 108 yards and ran 5 yards for a score and Houston (1-1) went on to beat Arizona (0-2) in Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt's home debut.

Matt Leinart went 7 for 7 for 70 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Edgerrin James.

Jaguars 31, Buccaneers 19: Byron Leftwich was 6 of 12 for 81 yards as host Jacksonville (1-1) beat Tampa Bay (1-1).

Leftwich was 2 of 6 for 12 yards in three series against Tampa Bay's first-team defense. He played long after most of the Buccaneers' starters were lifted and took advantage of the mismatch. Jacksonville scored on all four drives against Tampa Bay's backups in the first half.

Jacksonville guard Chris Naeole, a Kahuku High alum, sprained his right knee in the game. Chad Owens, a former University of Hawai'i standout, caught one pass for 9 yards for Tampa Bay.

Saints 27, Bengals 19: Drew Brees led New Orleans (1-2) to a touchdown in his only series, completing all six throws he made in the win over host Cincinnati (0-2).

The NFL's leading passer last season, Brees had his way with the league's worst pass defense. The Saints scored on their first three drives against Cincinnati's starting unit.

Cowboys 31, Broncos 20: Tony Romo was 11 of 18 for 122 yards with an interception, and Marion Barber III ran 11 times for 57 yard and two touchdowns as host Dallas (2-0) beat Denver (1-1).

Dallas flustered Denver quarterback Jay Cutler into going 7 of 13 for only 58 yards. He failed to convert all five third-down chances.

Former University of Hawai'i kicker booted field goals of 33 and 20 yards for the Broncos.

Chargers 30, Rams 13: Darren Sproles returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the first half, and Philip Rivers threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Vincent Jackson in the first quarter as San Diego (1-1) beat host St. Louis (1-1).

NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson wasn't in uniform for the Chargers.

Steelers 12, Redskins 10: Connor Hughes kicked three field goals in the fourth quarter, including the winner from 19 yards with 1:31 remaining as visiting Pittsburgh (2-1) beat Washington (1-1).

Washington quarterback Jason Campbell left in the first quarter because of a bruised knee, and linebacker Marcus Washington departed in the second quarter after dislocating his right elbow.

Packers 48, Seahawks 13: Brett Favre was 7 for 12 for 74 yards and a touchdown, leading host Green Bay (2-0) over Seattle (1-1).

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren sat quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and both of his starting offensive tackles.

ELSEWHERE

Patriots: Vinny Testaverde re-signed with New England yesterday for his 21st NFL season. The Patriots also released safety Artrell Hawkins, cornerback Gemara Williams and linebacker Kyle Bissinger.

Jaguars: Jacksonville released former top draft pick quarterback Tim Couch yesterday. The Jags also placed guard/tackle Stockar McDougle (Achilles' tendon) on injured reserve, and signed 11-year veteran defensive tackle Seth Payne and defensive end Tyler King.