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, a third‑round selection, displayed 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 coach, suggesting a promising future for the young signal‑caller. The Steelers’ offense was a well‑balanced machine throughout the game.
Wide receiver Will Howard emerged as a reliable target, catching seven of nine passes for 86 yards and orchestrating a touchdown drive that helped Pittsburgh dominate the statistical battle, outgaining the Packers 385 yards to 160. Meanwhile, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph contributed efficiently during his limited snaps, intensifying the competition for the backup role behind veteran starter Aaron Rodgers on Green Bay’s roster. Green Bay’s quarterback, Jordan Love, saw only brief action, while the Packers’ rookie kicker Trey Smack provided a bright spot for the visiting side, converting field goals from 58, 38 and 37 yards.
Despite the long‑range success, the Packers could not keep pace with Pittsburgh’s offensive flow. In a separate preseason matchup, the Las Vegas Raiders, led by No.
1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, fell 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. Mendoza, who completed ten of sixteen passes for 97 yards, found rookie receiver Jack Bech for a six‑yard touchdown, becoming the first top draft pick since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to throw a touchdown in his first preseason appearance. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also contributed a short touchdown pass for the Raiders during a sharp one‑play cameo.
Arizona built its advantage on precise passing from Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, while third‑overall selection Jeremiyah Love impressed with 58 rushing yards on eleven carries, showcasing the depth of talent on the Cardinals’ roster. The Indianapolis Colts faced the New England Patriots in a tightly contested 13-13 draw.
Former first‑round pick Anthony Richardson returned from injury, delivering a mixed performance: he threw for 145 yards, scored on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, but also suffered a fumble and an interception, contributing to Indianapolis’ four total turnovers. New England’s offense, led by Tommy DeVito, completed thirteen of twenty‑two passes for 128 yards and a touchdown to Kyle Williams, keeping the Patriots in the game. A dramatic finish saw the Colts break the deadlock with a 61‑yard field goal from Spencer Shrader late in the fourth quarter, while Patriots kicker Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt, leaving the contest tied. Over in Tennessee, No.
1 overall pick Cam Ward experienced a mixed debut as the Titans edged the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Ward engineered a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the opening possession, but finished the game with modest numbers—five completions on ten attempts for just 25 yards—failing to connect with fellow rookie Carnell Tate. The Titans’ lone touchdown came from Tony Pollard, and kicker Joey Slye added four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line, underscoring the special‑teams strength.
San Francisco’s backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed upon 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 bright spot for the 49ers despite the loss.
The Los Angeles Chargers opened their preseason campaign with a dominant 27-7 victory 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 conversion. With starters Justin Herbert and C.J.
Stroud resting, the Chargers relied on Trey Lance, who completed twelve of twenty passes for 164 yards, and rookie quarterback Davis Mills, who threw Houston’s only touchdown pass. Additionally, DJ Uiagalelei added a late touchdown, cementing the Chargers’ control after halftime. In Cincinnati, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco entered the game in relief of Joe Burrow, delivering a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jack Endries as the Bengals secured a 16-14 win over the Detroit Lions.
Burrow had started the game, completing five of six passes for 39 yards in the opening series 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 potential comeback that was ultimately halted by a decisive interception from Russ Yeast. Overall, the preseason action offered fans a glimpse of emerging talent, veteran resilience, and strategic adjustments ahead of the regular season.
With the Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots slated for September 10, fans can catch all four weeks of preseason games live on Sky Sports and stream the NFL contract‑free with NOW, ensuring they stay up‑to‑date on every development as teams fine‑tune their rosters for the upcoming campaign.