In his first appearance 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 convincing 28-9 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers. Allar, selected in the third round of the draft, displayed poise beyond his years, completing ten of thirteen attempts for a total of 154 passing yards. His accuracy and calm decision‑making under pressure earned high praise from the new coach, who noted the youngster's ability to read defenses and deliver the ball quickly to his playmakers.
Allar's impact went beyond his aerial attack. He also contributed on the ground, scrambling for a touchdown that showcased his athleticism and confidence in the pocket.
The dual‑threat display added a dynamic element to the Steelers' offense, keeping the Packers' defense guessing and opening up opportunities for his teammates. One such teammate was wide receiver Will Howard, who made a strong impression by completing seven of nine passes for 86 yards and leading a drive that culminated in a touchdown. Howard's reliable hands and route‑running helped Pittsburgh dominate time of possession, outgaining Green Bay 385 yards to 160. The Steelers' depth chart at quarterback also featured Mason Rudolph, who saw limited action but proved efficient when called upon.
Rudolph's performance added another layer of competition for the backup roles behind starter Aaron Rodgers, indicating that Pittsburgh will have several viable options as the regular season approaches. On the Packers' side, quarterback Jordan Love entered the game for a brief stint, while rookie kicker Trey Smack stood out by successfully converting three field goals from distances of 58, 38, and 37 yards, providing a bright spot for Green Bay despite the loss. Across the league, the preseason featured several other notable moments.
The Las Vegas Raiders, led by No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, fell 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. Mendoza 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 top‑draft selection since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to throw a touchdown in his first preseason game, underscoring his potential as a future franchise quarterback.
Veteran Kirk Cousins also contributed a touchdown in a brief cameo for the Raiders, adding experience to the young roster. Arizona built its lead on precise passing from Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, while third overall pick Jeremiah Love impressed with 58 rushing yards on eleven carries, demonstrating the Cardinals' balanced offensive approach. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots finished their preseason opener in a 13-13 tie. Colts rookie Anthony Richardson returned from injury, throwing for 145 yards and scoring on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, though he also turned the ball over with a fumble and an interception, highlighting the learning curve that accompanies his raw talent.
New England's Tommy DeVito led the Patriots' offense, completing thirteen of twenty‑two attempts for 128 yards and delivering a touchdown pass to Kyle Williams. The tie was ultimately broken by a 61‑yard field goal from Spencer Shrader late in the game, while Patriots defender Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt for the Colts, illustrating how special teams can swing outcomes even in exhibition contests.
In Tennessee, No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward experienced a mixed debut as the Titans edged the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Ward orchestrated a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the opening possession, yet finished with modest passing statistics—five completions on ten attempts for just 25 yards—highlighting the adjustment period many rookie quarterbacks face.
The Titans' only touchdown came from Tony Pollard, and kicker Joey Slye added four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line, underscoring the team's strong special‑team unit. San Francisco's backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed upon returning 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, showing promise 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, 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 resting, the Chargers relied on Trey Lance, who completed twelve of twenty passes for 164 yards, and rookie wide receiver DJ Uiagalelei, who delivered a late touchdown pass. Davis Mills threw Houston's lone touchdown, but the Chargers pulled away in the second half, illustrating the depth of their offensive talent. In Cincinnati, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco entered the game in relief of Joe Burrow, guiding the Bengals to a 16-14 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions.
Burrow had started the game, completing 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, 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, nearly mounting a comeback before safety Russ Yeast sealed the win with a decisive interception. These performances across the league provide fans with a glimpse of emerging talent, depth chart battles, and the strategic adjustments coaches are making ahead of the regular season.
All of these preseason games will be available for live viewing on Sky Sports, offering fans the chance to see future stars in action before the season officially begins with the Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on September 10. For those who prefer streaming, the NFL can be watched contract‑free via the NOW platform, ensuring that supporters have multiple options to follow the excitement leading up to the kickoff of the new NFL season.