McGee fires Cowboys in NFL pre-season opener

The Dallas Cowboys edged the Denver Broncos 24-23 in a thriller as the NFL pre-season kicked off on Thursday.

With the labour dispute between players and the league resolved and a lockout ended, teams are scrambling to be ready for the 2011/12 campaign.

And it was the Cowboys who opened their account with a win, largely thanks to Stephen McGee.

The quarterback upstaged counterpart Tim Tebow, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass and two-point conversion to seal the victory with just 15 seconds left.

Elsewhere on Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks also made a winning start, downing the San Diego Chargers 24-17.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers outperformed the Seahawks’ new man Tarvaris Jackson, whose side trailed 10-0 at half-time.

But undrafted rookie Josh Portis made the difference for Seattle, replacing Jackson during the second half and orchestrating two late scoring drives.

The second was finished off by Thomas Clayton, who rushed 25 yards for a tie-breaking touchdown, completing the comeback for Seattle with 3:05 left.

Michael Vick played just one series but helped the Philadelphia Eagles overcome the Baltimore Ravens 13-6.

Runner-up to Tom Brady in last season’s NFL MVP, Vick threw 74 yards, completed four of six passes and set up a touchdown for Brent Celek.

In the biggest win of Thursday’s pre-season matches, the New England Patriots demolished the Jacksonville Jaguars 47-12.

The Patriots rested star men Tom Brady, Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth.

But rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett impressed, driving the Patriots to touchdowns in his first four series.

In the final match of the day, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Oakland Raiders 24-18.

Max Hall’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Williams with 39 seconds left was the highlight in the win for the Cardinals.

Trent Edwards’ 18-yard touchdown pass to rookie David Ausberry and Sebastian Janikowski’s four field goals were unable to prevent the Raiders going down in Hue Jackson’s debut as head coach.