San Francisco 49ers-Denver Broncos: 21-20
The comeback game! Brock Purdy took command of the 49ers offense early in the game. Recovered from his elbow injury of the last playoffs, he seemed solid, even without George Kittle, Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey. In addition to distributing, he took a sack without flinching. He failed on the ground just outside the end zone and the series ended with a field goal. But the main thing is that San Francisco has found its holder. Sam Darnold (11/14, 109, 1 TD, 1 int) and Trey Lance (12/18, 173 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) already seems to be playing only for crumbs.
Russell Wilson (3/6, 24 yards) also only played one series, also for a field goal. But it’s also a comeback that marked Denver’s evening, because Javonte Williams carried 3 balls for 12 yards and caught 4 passes for 18 more lengths.
Houston Texans-Miami Dolphins: 3-28
Tua Tagovailoa (5/7, 61 yards) is back! It all started very badly, with an interception on his first pass. But the Florida pitcher immediately recovered, with a second impeccable possession: 14 actions, 7mn31, 93 yards and a touchdown at the end. What to return to the serene bench. Especially since Miami’s attack continued to fuel even with Skylar Thompson (15/22, 157 yards, 3 TDs), who cut out Houston’s replacements.
A delicate start also for CJ Stroud (7/12, 60 yards). When his team got the ball back on the interception, with only 7 yards to go, he missed two passes and let his team go without a single point. But then the rookie found rhythm, and several different receivers in the two quarters he played.
Los Angeles Rams-Las Vegas Raiders: 34-17
Jimmy Garoppolo (4/4, 39 yards) made a successful debut. A single series, but controlled from start to finish, with four different targets hit and a Brandon Bolden touchdown at the end. What reassure a little the attack of Las Vegas, which played without Davante Adams.
It should all the same be underlined that Garoppolo was able to take advantage of the weakness of a Rams team which played without its holders, and whose defense did not put pressure.
Stetson Bennett (15/24, 142 yards, 1 int) continues to take advantage of the preseason to try to make their way to Matthew Stafford’s understudy position. If there were a few good moments, the returned interception for a touchdown hurt a lot.
Arizona Cardinals-Kansas City Chiefs: 10-38
The Cardinals’ defense held up well against Patrick Mahomes (10/15, 105 yards, 1 TD) and the holders of the Chiefs. The MVP was defeated on his first two offensives. And on the third, even if there is a touchdown at the end, he often had to work and improvise. Reassuring for Arizona and Jonathan Gannon, the new coach and former defensive coordinator of the Eagles.
Kansas City still leaves this game with the satisfaction of having seen Shane Buechele deliver a perfect copy (10/10, 105 yards) on the two series he played just after Mahomes. Many receivers have also shone for the defending champions, including rookie Rashee Rice (8 rec, 96 yards).
The Cardinals’ offense was much less reassuring than the defense. In three series, Colt McCoy (5/8, 25 yards) did not bring back a single point.
Green Bay Packers-New England Patriots: 17-21
A game unfortunately stopped 10 minutes and 38 seconds from the end when Isaiah Bolden (CB, Patriots) went out on a stretcher before being taken to hospital. Bolden had sensations in all of his limbs, but the two coaches agreed to call off the game.
Before this incident, Jordan Love (5/8, 84 yards, 1 TD) had delivered another encouraging performance for Green Bay. The new holder has notably connected with Romeo Doubs for 42 yards. If his first two series were unsuccessful, the third ended with a touchdown.
Mac Jones (6/9, 52 yards) did the opposite, with an entry touchdown, then two offensive checks.
Pittsburgh Steelers-Buffalo Bills: 27-15
The Steelers are one of the most successful offseason teams. In a fiery start to the game, they overpowered the Bills. A 62-yard touchdown from Jaylen Warren to start, heavy defensive pressure to check Josh Allen, a long punt return, then an offering from Kenny Pickett (3/4, 43 yards, 1 TD) on 25 yards for a another touchdown from Pat Freiermuth. Difficult to do more effective for the holders, who then left.
Conversely, the evening is definitely to be forgotten for Buffalo. Allen (7/10, 64 yards) could not get a single point in three offensive series. He was not helped by a suffering offensive line, which notably managed to be penalized for three actions in a row.
Entering just after Allen, Matt Barkley probably signed the worst performance of the evening, with three interceptions, a lost fumble and an elbow injury. When it doesn’t want…
Seattle Seahawks-Dallas Cowboys: 22-14
Two uneventful series for Geno Smith (5/6, 46 yards). This is after things got choppy for Seattle, thanks in part to rookies continuing to show promise. Jaxon Smith-Njigba still caught 3 passes for 58 yards.
Dallas had rested all of its incumbents. Rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is out with a knee injury.
Detroit Lions–Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-25
Teddy Bridgewater (5/11, 34 yards) made a difficult start in the Lions jersey. In addition to an unflattering stat line, the quarterback lost a fumble. Detroit still took advantage of the preparation to give plenty of playing time to debutant Jack Campbell, who accumulated 7 tackles and 1 sack in just over half time.
The attraction of this match without starters was Tank Bigsby. The Jacksonville runner has accumulated 13 runs for 70 yards on the ground to show that he should be of great help to Travis Etienne in the months to come.
Indianapolis Colts–Chicago Bears: 24-17
A match without starters. Gardner Minshew (13/15, 107 yards, 1 TD) showed why he’s one of the NFL’s best liners at quarterback. He was not, however, helped by industrious Colts runners.
Among the Bears, the race for second quarterback could become interesting. In any case, PJ Walker (1/4, 6 yards) was holed up on his two offensives. The rookie Tyson Bagent (9/10, 76 yards) was much more interesting.
New York Jets-Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-13
Still no Aaron Rodgers in the field. Zach Wilson (9/13, 70 yards) provided the essentials, especially with a nice run of 35 yards. Mekhi Becton played 25 snaps and looked solid. He was lined up as right tackle.
Baker Mayfield was rested by the Tampa coaches, which seems to indicate that he is taking the advantage for the starting position. Kyle Trask (20/28, 218 yards, 1 TD), author of a fumble did not burst the screen enough to reverse the trend. John Wolford evacuated on a stretcher with a neck injury, Trask was returned to the field to finish the game.
Minnesota Vikings – Tennessee Titans: 16-24
Malik Willis (10/17, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) started and played the whole game. Slightly injured in training, Will Levis missed a great opportunity to have playing time, especially since Willis gained more yards with his legs (11 races, 91 yards) than with his arm. His passing performance remains worrying.
No incumbents either on the Minnesota side. Good for Kirk Cousins, who didn’t have to play behind a struggling offensive line.
