In his inaugural contest as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike McCarthy oversaw a convincing preseason triumph against the Green Bay Packers, a game in which rookie quarterback Drew Allar emerged as the clear star. Allar, a third‑round selection, displayed a poise beyond his years, completing ten of thirteen attempts for 154 yards, delivering two touchdown passes and adding a rushing score of his own. His composure in the pocket and sharp decision‑making impressed the new coaching staff, signaling that he could be a valuable asset in the quarterback depth chart moving forward. The Steelers’ offense was a well‑balanced machine throughout the matchup, amassing 385 total yards compared with Green Bay’s 160.
Wide receiver Will Howard made a significant contribution, catching seven of nine passes for 86 yards and orchestrating a drive that culminated in a touchdown. Howard’s ability to find seams in the Packers’ secondary and his reliable hands gave the Steelers an extra dimension on the outside, complementing Allar’s strong arm and mobility.
Mason Rudolph also saw limited action, performing efficiently in his brief stint. His presence added further competition for the backup quarterback positions, as the Steelers evaluate all options behind veteran starter Aaron Rodgers. The depth of the quarterback room appears healthy, with both Allar and Rudolph showing flashes of potential that could translate into meaningful playing time should injuries or performance issues arise during the regular season. For the Packers, veteran Jordan Love entered the game for a short spell, offering a glimpse of his development under head coach Matt LaFleur.
Meanwhile, rookie kicker Trey Smack provided a bright spot for Green Bay, successfully converting three field goals from distances of 58, 38 and 37 yards, demonstrating both leg strength and accuracy under pressure. The preseason action continued across the league with several notable performances. In Las Vegas, No.
1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza made his preseason debut for the Raiders, throwing a six‑yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Jack Bech. Mendoza completed ten of sixteen attempts for 97 yards, becoming the first top‑draft quarterback since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to record a touchdown pass in his first preseason appearance.
Veteran Kirk Cousins, now with the Raiders, also contributed a short touchdown drive, showcasing his veteran savvy in a limited role. The Arizona Cardinals built a solid lead against the Raiders, thanks in large part to the efficient passing of Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew.
Third overall pick Jeremiyah Love added a dynamic element with 58 rushing yards on eleven carries, highlighting his dual‑threat capability. In the Midwest, the Indianapolis Colts faced the New England Patriots in a tightly contested preseason opener that ended in a 13‑13 stalemate. Former first‑round pick Anthony Richardson returned from injury and delivered a mixed performance: he threw for 145 yards and scored on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, but also suffered a fumble and threw an interception, contributing to the Colts’ four turnovers.
New England’s offense was led by Tommy DeVito, who completed thirteen of twenty‑two passes for 128 yards and connected with Kyle Williams for a touchdown. The tie was ultimately broken by a 61‑yard field goal from Spencer Shrader late in the fourth quarter, while Patriots’ kicker Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt, underscoring the fine margins that often decide preseason outcomes.
On the West Coast, the Tennessee Titans defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19‑13 in another exhibition matchup. First‑overall pick Cam Ward guided a 95‑yard touchdown drive on Tennessee’s opening possession, yet finished with modest passing numbers—five completions on ten attempts for just 25 yards—and struggled to connect with rookie wideout Carnell Tate.
Running back Tony Pollard provided the Titans’ sole touchdown, and veteran kicker Joey Slye was reliable, nailing four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line. San Francisco’s backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed on his return from injury, completing twelve of fourteen passes for 101 yards before exiting with a rib injury. Rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling contributed seven catches for 63 yards, showing promise as a potential play‑maker for the 49ers.
The Los Angeles Chargers opened their preseason campaign with a 27‑7 victory over the Houston Texans, highlighted by undrafted running back Amar Johnson’s two touchdowns and a spectacular 55‑yard reception. Johnson, now in his second NFL season, also added a two‑point conversion, helping the Chargers pull away in the second half. With starters Justin Herbert and C.J.
Stroud resting, backup quarterback Trey Lance completed twelve of twenty passes for 164 yards, while Davis Mills threw Houston’s only touchdown pass. Additionally, DJ Uiagalelei threw a late touchdown, further cementing the Chargers’ dominance after halftime. In Cincinnati, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco entered the game in relief of Joe Burrow and delivered a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jack Endries, contributing to a 16‑14 win over the Detroit Lions. Burrow had started the game, completing five of six passes for 39 yards before handing the reins to Flacco.
Kicker Evan McPherson added three field goals, including a 56‑yard effort, and the Bengals capitalized on three turnovers forced by Detroit. Undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer gave the Lions a spark, throwing for 130 yards and a late touchdown, though the team ultimately fell short after Russ Yeast intercepted a pass to seal the result.
All of these preseason contests set the stage for an exciting NFL season ahead. Fans can follow the remaining four weeks of preseason action live on Sky Sports, culminating in the regular‑season kickoff with a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on September 10. For those seeking a contract‑free streaming option, the NOW platform offers live NFL coverage alongside a broader range of sports content.