In his inaugural game at the helm of the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McCarthy was greeted with an impressive performance from rookie quarterback Drew Allar, who helped his team secure a 28-9 preseason triumph over the Green Bay Packers. Allar, a third‑round selection, demonstrated 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 left a strong first impression on the new coaching staff and set a high bar for the quarterback competition in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ offensive output was further bolstered by wide receiver Will Howard, who made the most of limited snaps. Howard caught seven of nine passes for 86 yards and orchestrated a drive that culminated in a touchdown, showcasing his reliability as a potential primary target. The Steelers amassed a total of 385 yards of offense compared with the Packers’ 160, underscoring the effectiveness of the new offensive scheme and the depth of talent on the roster.
Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph also saw action, delivering an efficient showing that intensified the battle for the second‑string role behind veteran Aaron Rodgers on the Packers’ side. While Rudolph’s contribution was brief, his accuracy and calm demeanor suggested that he could be a valuable asset should the Steelers need a steady presence behind Allar. For Green Bay, veteran quarterback Jordan Love entered the game for a short stint, but the spotlight fell on rookie kicker Trey Smack, who proved to be a bright spot for the Packers. Smack converted three field goals—from 58, 38 and 37 yards—demonstrating a strong leg and composure under pressure, which bodes well for his future role on special teams.
Across the league, other notable preseason moments unfolded. The Las Vegas Raiders, led by No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, fell 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals.
Mendoza completed ten of sixteen passes for 97 yards and 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 pass in his first preseason appearance. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also contributed a touchdown in a brief cameo for the Raiders, adding experience to the otherwise youthful offensive unit. Arizona’s offense was anchored by flawless passing from Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, while third overall pick Jeremiyah Love impressed with 58 rushing yards on 11 carries, highlighting the Cardinals’ balanced attack.
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 threw for 145 yards and scored on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, but also suffered a fumble and threw an interception, contributing to four total turnovers for Indianapolis. New England’s offense was led by Tommy DeVito, who completed 13 of 22 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown to Kyle Williams. The Colts managed to break a 13‑13 deadlock 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 favor of Indianapolis.
The Tennessee Titans faced the San Francisco 49ers in another preseason clash, with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward experiencing a mixed debut. Ward engineered a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the Titans’ opening possession but finished with modest passing numbers—five completions on ten attempts for just 25 yards—and failed to connect with fellow rookie Carnell Tate.
Nonetheless, the Titans secured a 19‑13 victory, thanks in large part to Tony Pollard’s lone touchdown and Joey Slye’s four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line. 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 contributed seven catches for 63 yards, providing a glimpse of the 49ers’ future receiving depth.
On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Chargers opened their preseason schedule with a dominant 27‑7 win over the Houston Texans. Undrafted running back Amar Johnson, now in his second season, scored twice and recorded a spectacular 55‑yard reception, while also converting a two‑point attempt. With starters Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud resting, backup quarterback Trey Lance completed twelve of twenty passes for 164 yards, and Davis Mills threw Houston’s lone touchdown pass.
Additionally, DJ Uiagalelei delivered a late touchdown, further cementing the Chargers’ superiority after halftime. The Cincinnati Bengals enjoyed a narrow 16‑14 victory over the Detroit Lions, highlighted by a touchdown pass from veteran Joe Flacco, who stepped in for an early‑exiting 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 in the end zone.
Kicker Evan McPherson added three field goals, including a 56‑yard effort, while the Bengals capitalized on three turnovers forced by Detroit. Detroit’s undrafted rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 130 yards and a late touchdown, keeping the Lions in contention until safety Russ Yeast sealed the win with a decisive interception. Fans can look forward to watching all four weeks of NFL preseason action live on Sky Sports, providing a preview of the upcoming regular season that kicks off with a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on September 10.
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