In his inaugural outing as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike McCarthy was able to lean on the impressive performance of rookie quarterback Drew Allar, who helped the team secure a 28-9 triumph over the Green Bay Packers in a preseason matchup. Allar, selected in the third round of the draft, demonstrated poise beyond his years, completing ten of his thirteen pass attempts for a total of 154 yards.
He found the end zone twice through the air and added a rushing touchdown, showcasing a blend of arm talent and mobility that gave the Steelers an early offensive spark. Allar’s composure in the pocket and his quick decision‑making caught McCarthy’s attention, as the new coach praised the youngster for his ability to read defenses and deliver the ball accurately under pressure.
The rookie’s efficiency was complemented by a strong supporting cast. Wide receiver Will Howard emerged as a reliable target, catching seven of nine passes for 86 yards. Howard also orchestrated a scoring drive that contributed to the Steelers’ dominant statistical advantage; Pittsburgh amassed 385 total yards compared with Green Bay’s 160. The game also featured a solid showing from backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, who made the most of limited snaps and added to the competition for the Steelers’ secondary quarterback roles.
On the Packers’ side, Jordan Love saw only a brief look at the field, while rookie kicker Trey Smack stood out by converting three field goals from long range—58, 38 and 37 yards—providing a bright spot for Green Bay despite the loss. In another preseason contest, the Las Vegas Raiders, led by No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, fell 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. Mendoza, who entered the game with high expectations, completed ten of sixteen attempts for 97 yards and delivered a six‑yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Jack Bech.
This achievement made him the first top‑draft selection since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to record a touchdown pass in his first preseason appearance. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also contributed a short but effective touchdown drive for the Raiders.
Arizona built its lead on flawless performances from quarterback Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, both of whom displayed precision passing that kept the Raiders on the back foot. Additionally, third‑overall pick Jeremiyah Love impressed the Cardinals’ coaching staff by rushing for 58 yards on eleven carries, adding a dynamic element to the team’s offensive scheme. The Indianapolis Colts’ preseason opener against the New England Patriots ended in a 13-13 stalemate, highlighted by a mixed showing from former first‑round pick Anthony Richardson.
Richardson threw for 145 yards and scored on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, but also committed a fumble and threw 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 connected with Kyle Williams for a touchdown. The Colts managed to break the tie late in the game when Spencer Shrader nailed a 61‑yard field goal, while Patriots kicker Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt, leaving the outcome in Indianapolis’ favor. The Tennessee Titans faced the San Francisco 49ers in their exhibition opener, with No.
1 overall pick Cam Ward experiencing a mixed debut. Ward orchestrated a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the Titans’ first possession, yet finished the game with modest passing numbers—only 25 yards on five completions out of ten attempts—and failed to connect with rookie wideout Carnell Tate. Tony Pollard was the lone scorer for Tennessee, finding the end zone, while kicker Joey Slye added four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line.
San Francisco’s backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed before exiting with a rib injury, completing twelve of fourteen passes for 101 yards. Rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling contributed seven catches for 63 yards, offering a glimpse of the 49ers’ future passing options. The Los Angeles Chargers opened their preseason campaign with a convincing 27‑7 win over the Houston Texans.
Undrafted running back Amar Johnson, now in his second season, scored twice and hauled in a spectacular 55‑yard reception, while also converting a two‑point attempt. With starters Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud rested, the Chargers turned to Trey Lance, who completed twelve of twenty passes for 164 yards, and to Davis Mills, who threw Houston’s lone touchdown pass. DJ Uiagalelei also made his mark, delivering a late‑game touchdown that helped seal the Chargers’ dominance after halftime.
In Cincinnati, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco entered the game in relief of Joe Burrow and threw a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jack Endries, helping the Bengals secure a 16‑14 victory 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 contributed three field goals, including a 56‑yard effort, while 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 brief comeback threat that was ultimately quashed by a late interception from Russ Yeast, preserving the win for Cincinnati. Fans can look forward to watching the full slate of preseason action across four weeks 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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