In his inaugural game at the helm of the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McCarthy witnessed a standout performance from rookie quarterback Drew Allar, who helped the team secure a 28-9 preseason triumph over the Green Bay Packers. Allar, selected in the third round, demonstrated poise and precision, completing ten of his thirteen attempts for a total of 154 passing yards.
He connected on two touchdown passes and added a rushing touchdown of his own, showcasing a blend of arm talent and mobility that impressed the new coaching staff. The Steelers’ offensive firepower was further highlighted by wide receiver Will Howard, who proved to be a reliable target early in his career.
Howard completed seven of nine catches for 86 yards, orchestrating a scoring drive that contributed significantly to Pittsburgh’s dominant 385-160 yard advantage over Green Bay. His ability to find seams in the Packers’ secondary added another layer of confidence for the young quarterback corps. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph also saw limited action, delivering an efficient performance that intensified the competition for the backup role behind veteran Aaron Rodgers on the Packers’ roster.
Rudolph’s composure in his brief stint suggested that the Steelers have depth at the quarterback position, a valuable asset as they look ahead to the regular season. On the Packers’ side, third‑year quarterback Jordan Love entered the game for a short spell, while rookie kicker Trey Smack emerged as a bright spot for Green Bay. Smack successfully converted three field goals—distances of 58, 38 and 37 yards—providing the Packers with a respectable showing despite the loss.
In a separate preseason matchup, No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza of the Las Vegas Raiders made his debut against the Arizona Cardinals.
Although the Raiders fell 27-14, Mendoza delivered a noteworthy moment by throwing a six‑yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Jack Bech, becoming the first top‑draft selection since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to record a preseason touchdown in his first appearance. Mendoza completed ten of sixteen attempts for 97 yards, a respectable stat line for a rookie adjusting to the speed of the NFL.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also contributed a quick touchdown pass for the Raiders, highlighting the team’s offensive versatility. Arizona built its lead through precise passing from Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, while third overall pick Jeremiyah Love added a dynamic dimension with 58 rushing yards on eleven carries.
The Indianapolis Colts faced the New England Patriots in a tightly contested preseason opener that ended in a 13-13 tie. 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 suffered a fumble and an interception, contributing to four total turnovers for Indianapolis. New England’s offense, led by Tommy DeVito, completed thirteen of twenty‑two passes for 128 yards and found the end zone with a touchdown to Kyle Williams.
The Colts ultimately broke the deadlock with a 61‑yard field goal by Spencer Shrader late in the game, while Patriots’ kicker Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt, leaving the result unchanged. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans, led by No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, faced the San Francisco 49ers in their exhibition opener, emerging victorious 19-13. Ward orchestrated a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the opening possession but finished the game with modest passing numbers—five completions on ten attempts for 25 yards—and struggled to connect with rookie wideout Carnell Tate.
Nonetheless, the Titans’ ground game shone as Tony Pollard scored the sole touchdown, and kicker Joey Slye added four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line. San Francisco’s backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed in 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, providing a glimpse of the 49ers’ future receiving depth. The Los Angeles Chargers opened their preseason campaign with a dominant 27-7 win 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 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 lone touchdown pass. Additionally, freshman quarterback DJ Uiagalelei delivered a late‑game touchdown, cementing the Chargers’ control after halftime.
The Cincinnati Bengals secured a 16-14 preseason victory against the Detroit Lions, thanks in part to veteran Joe Flacco, who entered the game in relief of Joe Burrow. Burrow had completed five of six passes for 39 yards before handing the reins to Flacco, who found rookie tight end Jack Endries for a touchdown.
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 that sparked a potential comeback before safety Russ Yeast sealed the outcome with a decisive interception.
Fans can look forward to watching all four weeks of NFL preseason action live on Sky Sports, building anticipation for the regular season kickoff. The upcoming schedule includes a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on September 10, with additional streaming options available through NOW for contract‑free access to NFL games and other sports content.