In his inaugural contest at the helm of the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McCarthy witnessed a standout performance from rookie quarterback Drew Allar, who propelled the team to a convincing 28-9 preseason triumph over the Green Bay Packers. Allar, selected in the third round, displayed remarkable poise and accuracy, completing ten of his thirteen attempts for a total of 154 passing yards. His aerial assault resulted in two touchdown throws, and he added a rushing score of his own, showcasing a dual-threat capability that impressed the new coaching staff. The Steelers' offense was a well-oiled machine throughout the game, outgaining the Packers 385 yards to 160.
Complementing Allar's heroics, backup quarterback Will Howard made a strong impression, delivering seven completions on nine attempts for 86 yards. Howard orchestrated a touchdown drive that further cemented Pittsburgh's dominance on the field. Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph contributed efficiently during his limited snaps, intensifying the competition for the backup quarterback role behind veteran starter Aaron Rodgers on the Packers' roster. Green Bay's starting quarterback Jordan Love saw only a brief cameo, but the Packers did have a bright spot in rookie kicker Trey Smack, who nailed three field goals from distances of 58, 38 and 37 yards, demonstrating his leg strength and reliability under pressure.
Across the league, the Las Vegas Raiders endured a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, despite a notable performance from their top overall draft pick, Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza, the first overall selection, completed ten of sixteen passes for 97 yards and connected with fellow rookie Jack Bech for a six-yard touchdown reception.
This achievement made Mendoza the first No. 1 draft pick since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to register a touchdown in his preseason debut.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also contributed a short touchdown pass for the Raiders, adding a spark to an otherwise challenging outing. Arizona built its lead on flawless passing from Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, while third overall pick Jeremiyah Love showcased his rushing prowess with 58 yards on eleven carries, further highlighting the depth of talent on the Cardinals' roster.
In Indianapolis, former first‑rounder Anthony Richardson returned from injury for the Colts' preseason opener against the New England Patriots, delivering a mixed performance. Richardson amassed 145 passing yards and scored on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, but also suffered a fumble and threw an interception, contributing to Indianapolis' four total turnovers.
The Patriots' offense, led by Tommy DeVito, completed thirteen of twenty‑two passes for 128 yards and a touchdown to Kyle Williams. The game remained deadlocked at 13‑13 until Spencer Shrader's 61‑yard field goal for the Colts sealed the tie, while Patriots kicker Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt. The Tennessee Titans faced the San Francisco 49ers in their exhibition opener, with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward experiencing a mixed debut.
Ward engineered a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the Titans' first possession, yet finished with modest passing statistics: five completions on ten attempts for just 25 yards, and he struggled to connect with rookie wideout Carnell Tate. Nevertheless, the Titans found the end zone through Tony Pollard's lone touchdown, and kicker Joey Slye contributed four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line, underscoring his range. San Francisco's backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed upon his return from injury, completing twelve of fourteen attempts for 101 yards before exiting with a rib injury. Rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling made a notable impact, hauling in seven receptions for 63 yards, providing a bright spot for the 49ers' passing game.
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 sole touchdown pass. Additionally, DJ Uiagalelei delivered a late touchdown, further cementing the Chargers' dominance after halftime.
In Cincinnati, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco entered the game in relief of Joe Burrow, guiding the Bengals to a 16‑14 win over the Detroit Lions. Burrow started strong, completing five of six passes for 39 yards in the opening series before yielding 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.
The Lions saw undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer throw for 130 yards and a late touchdown, sparking a potential comeback that was ultimately thwarted when Russ Yeast intercepted a pass in the closing moments, sealing the Lions' victory. 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 highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on September 10.
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