In his inaugural outing as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike McCarthy oversaw a commanding 28-9 preseason triumph over the Green Bay Packers, a game that was highlighted by the standout performance of rookie quarterback Drew Allar. Allar, selected in the third round, demonstrated poise beyond his years, completing ten of his thirteen attempts for a total of 154 yards. He not only delivered two touchdown passes but also added a rushing score, showcasing a dual-threat capability that impressed the new coaching staff and hinted at a promising future in the Steelers' quarterback room.
Allar's efficiency was evident throughout the game. His decision‑making under pressure was crisp, and his accuracy on short and intermediate routes helped the Steelers dominate time of possession. The young signal‑caller also showed an ability to read the defense, adjusting his throws to exploit mismatches and keep the Packers' secondary off balance. His performance was complemented by the contributions of fellow rookie Will Howard, who entered the game as a backup and made a strong impression of his own.
Howard completed seven of nine passes for 86 yards and orchestrated a touchdown drive that further stretched the lead, underscoring the depth of talent emerging in Pittsburgh's quarterback corps. The Steelers' offense as a whole outgained Green Bay 385 yards to 160, a statistic that reflected both the effectiveness of the new offensive scheme and the execution of its players. Veteran backup Mason Rudolph also saw limited action, completing his passes efficiently and adding to the competitive atmosphere for the backup spots behind starter Aaron Rodgers on the Packers' side. While the Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love only saw a brief cameo, rookie kicker Trey Smack provided a bright spot for Green Bay, nailing field goals from 58, 38 and 37 yards, demonstrating his reliability in the kicking department.
Elsewhere in the preseason landscape, the Las Vegas Raiders, led by the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, fell 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. Mendoza, who entered the league with considerable hype, managed to throw a six‑yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Jack Bech, becoming the first top draft selection since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to record a touchdown in his first preseason appearance. He finished with ten completions on sixteen attempts for 97 yards, a respectable showing that gave Raiders fans hope for his development.
Arizona’s offense, meanwhile, was propelled by a flawless performance from Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, both of whom delivered precise passing that helped the Cardinals build a comfortable lead. Third overall pick Jeremiyah Love also contributed significantly, rushing for 58 yards on eleven carries, illustrating the versatility that modern NFL teams value in their young playmakers.
The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots ended their opening preseason contest in a 13-13 stalemate. Former first‑round pick Anthony Richardson returned from injury and displayed a mixed performance: he threw for 145 yards and scored on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, yet also turned the ball over twice—once via a fumble and once through an interception—contributing to the Colts' four total turnovers. New England’s quarterback Tommy DeVito, on the other hand, completed 13 of 22 passes for 128 yards and connected with Kyle Williams for a touchdown, keeping the Patriots in the game. A dramatic finish saw Spencer Shrader nail a 61‑yard field goal for Indianapolis, securing the tie late in the fourth quarter, while Patriots’ kicker Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt, leaving the outcome undecided until the final moments.
In the Western Conference, the Tennessee Titans faced the San Francisco 49ers, with the Titans emerging victorious 19-13. First‑overall pick Cam Ward, making his preseason debut, led a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the opening possession but struggled overall, completing only five of ten passes for a modest 25 yards and failing to connect with rookie wideout Carnell Tate.
Nonetheless, the Titans benefited from a solid ground game, highlighted by Tony Pollard’s sole touchdown and Joey Slye’s reliable leg, which contributed four field goals, three of them from beyond the 50‑yard line. San Francisco’s backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed on his return from injury, completing 12 of 14 attempts for 101 yards before exiting with a rib injury. Rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling made a notable impact, catching seven passes for 63 yards, indicating a bright future for the 49ers’ receiving corps.
The Los Angeles Chargers opened their preseason campaign with a dominant 27-7 win over the Houston Texans. Undrafted running back Amar Johnson, now in his second season, was the star of the show, scoring two rushing touchdowns and adding a two‑point conversion, while also hauling in a spectacular 55‑yard reception that highlighted his versatility. With starters Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud rested, rookie quarterback Trey Lance stepped in, completing 12 of 20 passes for 164 yards, and Davis Mills threw Houston’s only touchdown pass.
Additionally, DJ Uiagalelei delivered a late‑game touchdown, cementing the Chargers’ control after halftime. The Cincinnati Bengals secured a 16-14 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions, thanks in part to veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who entered the game in relief of Joe Burrow.
Flacco connected with rookie tight end Jack Endries for a touchdown, while Burrow’s brief stint saw him complete five of six passes for 39 yards before handing the reins over. Kicker Evan McPherson contributed 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, keeping the game within reach until a decisive interception by Detroit’s Russ Yeast sealed the win for Cincinnati. Fans can look forward to watching all four weeks of NFL preseason action live on Sky Sports, leading up to the regular season kickoff and the much‑anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on September 10.
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