SAN FRANCISCO » On a night when San Francisco’s offensive stars sat out, the 49ers got more big plays on the other side of the ball to cap their first unbeaten preseason in 18 years.

Manny Lawson and rookie Taylor Mays each had interceptions and rookie Anthony Dixon ran 46 yards for a first-half touchdown in the Niners’ 17-14 victory over the San Diego Chargers last night.

Jehuu Caulcrick caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Nate Davis with 8:41 left and Joe Nedney added a 25-yard field goal. San Francisco went undefeated in its exhibition schedule for the first time since a 5-0 showing in 1992.

Jeremy Williams returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown, then caught a 29-yard pass to set up Curtis Brinkley’s 2-yard TD run late in the third quarter for the Chargers. But Curtis Taylor stripped Williams after a catch to force a fumble and give San Francisco the ball back with 6:54 to play.

San Francisco’s offense looked little like the unit it will be for the team’s Sept. 12 opener at NFC West rival Seattle. No Alex Smith at quarterback, no Frank Gore or Brian Westbrook at running back, no Michael Crabtree at wideout or Joe Staley leading the line at left tackle.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers also got the night off.

Arizona 20, Washington 10

Max Hall completed seven of nine passes for 126 yards and scored on a 6-yard run as the Cardinals downed the Redskins in Glendale, Ariz.

Hall directed Arizona to two TDs and a field goal in his three possessions.

St. Louis 27, Baltimore 21

Sam Bradford made another favorable impression, going 6-for-6 for 68 yards and a touchdown as the Rams topped the Ravens in St. Louis.

Minnesota 31, Denver 24

Tim Tebow was 12-for-16 for 167 yards and one touchdown and also ran for 21 yards on four carries, but the Vikings defeated the Broncos in Minneapolis.

Brett Favre watched in a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers.

N.Y. Giants 20, New England 17

Rhett Bomar may have nailed down the job as New York’s backup quarterback, throwing a 60-yard scoring pass to Duke Calhoun with 1:49 to play as the Giants rallied to beat the Patriots in East Rutherford, N.J.

Pittsburgh 19, Carolina 3

Byron Leftwich, expected to replace Ben Roethlisberger during his suspension, injured his left knee in the second quarter and the Steelers beat the starter-less Panthers.

N.Y. Jets 21, Philadelphia 17

Michael Vick led Philadelphia to a field goal in two series in his first start in four years, and Kurt Coleman scored on two fumble returns, but the Jets beat the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Dallas 27, Miami 25

David Buehler kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Cowboys past Miami in Arlington, Texas.

Buehler also made field goals of 51, 45 and 40 yards.

Tennessee 27, New Orleans 24

Alvin Pearman had a 5-yard touchdown run with 3:18 left to help the Titans beat the Saints in Nashville.

Vince Young threw a scoring pass, and LeGarrette Blount also ran for a score.

Cleveland 13, Chicago 10

Colt McCoy got his first pro start and went 13-for-13 for 131 yards in two-plus quarters and the Browns topped the Bears in Cleveland.

Cincinnati 30, Indianapolis 28

Cedric Peerman had a 93-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as the Bengals toppled the Colts in Indianapolis.

Kansas City 17, Green Bay 13

Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle each led touchdown drives and the Chiefs beat the Packers in Kansas City.

Tampa Bay 24, Houston 17

Rudy Carpenter threw two TD passes to Arrelious Benn, and Corey Lynch returned one of his two interceptions 91 yards for a score to help the Buccaneers defeat the Texans in Houston.

Oakland 27, Seattle 24

Bruce Gradkowski threw two touchdown passes and Kyle Boller also threw a scoring pass as the Raiders topped the Seahawks in Oakland, Calif.

Detroit 28, Buffalo 23

Third-stringer Drew Stanton threw a pair of second-half touchdown passes as the Lions defeated the Bills in Detroit.

Jacksonville 13, Atlanta 9

Fullback Brock Bolen scored on a 16-yard run, and Josh Scobee kicked two field goals as the Jaguars defeated the Falcons in Jacksonville, Fla.