Las Vegas Raiders – Dallas Cowboys: 12-27
Still no clear winner in the Raiders quarterback battle. Gardner Minshew (10/21, 95 yards) was the starter, but he didn't really shine. In five series, he only threw one field goal and was sometimes inaccurate. Aidan O'Connell (14/21, 96 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) did a little better, with a touchdown thrown early in the second half. But as if to sow seeds of doubt again, he threw an interception returned for a touchdown in the process. Antonio Pierce had promised to make his decision after this game. O'Connell is the youngest and the one who started last year. He seems to have the advantage. But by default.
The Cowboys' starters rested. Trey Lance (15/23, 151 yards) completed his last seven passes, including one for a touchdown. He also ran for 34 yards, including a 20-pitch play. He was protected by rookie Tyler Guyton, who is expected to be the starting left tackle this season. Guyton was solid in this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Buffalo Bills: 3-9
The competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields is on, but it is largely disrupted by the level of the offensive line. Wilson conceded 3 sacks and was almost always under pressure. The runners had no openings. In the end, after eight offensive series in two preseason games, the Pittsburgh offense did not score any points, it gained only 7 first downs and conceded 5 sacks. Anything but reassuring.
Fields did a little better with the substitutes, especially using his legs.
Pittsburgh suffered because Buffalo seems to have a quality defense, with Greg Rousseau having 2.5 sacks. Most of the starters were rested, including Josh Allen and Von Miller.
Chicago Bears – Cincinnati Bengals: 27 – 3
After a week of joint practice, the Bengals and Bears face off in real conditions on the second day of preseason.
Caleb Williams takes the reins of the Chicago offense for the entire first half. But his flamboyance is not immediately there (6/13, 75 yards, 7 rushing yards, 1 TD). The Bears' first three drives all end the same way: 3 & out. But at the start of the second quarter, the offense wakes up and finally unlocks the counter with a field goal. Williams even ends up exploding 2 minutes before halftime with a 45-yard bomb for rookie Rome Odunze. He concludes this great series all by himself with a 7-yard run for a touchdown, the first of the game. Coming back from the break, Chicago's starters make way. Tyson Bagent (7/8, 87 yards, 2 TD) is lined up behind the center and impresses with two consecutive touchdowns delivered to Dante Pettis! On defense, cornerback Kyler Gordon made a strong impression with 4 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.
Opposite, the Bengals starters are resting. Zac Taylor has lined up his replacements on each side of the field. At quarterback, we find Logan Woodside (17/25, 132 yards, 2 interceptions). He manages but never really manages to finish. However, he comes dangerously close to the first points of the game at the start of the second quarter. But he is intercepted 30 yards from the end zone by Amen Ogbongbemiga, after being hit while passing. Cincinnati still stays in the game with a field goal just before the break by Evan McPherson. After the locker room, Woodside is intercepted again. Rocky Lombardi (4/8, 33 yards) takes over but does not do much better. The big black mark of the evening for Cincinnati will be the (very) numerous penalties: 11 in total for 122 yards.
Miami Dolphins – Washington Commanders: 13-6
The ideal preseason outing looks something like this: 5-for-5, 51 yards and a touchdown. All in one offensive series, before going back to rest. And without Tyreek Hill. Contract fulfilled for Tua Tagovailoa this Saturday.
In passing, Miami showed that the Commanders lack depth at quarterback, and that the season could be long in coverage for the capital club.
On offense, Jayden Daniels (10/12, 78 yards) continues to show promising signs. Capable of gaining 13 yards on the ground on a nice run, he especially managed his reads, his pocket and returned a clean record. He did not find the end zone on his two series, but he gives hope to the Commanders.
Kansas City Chiefs – Detroit Lions: 23-24
The Chiefs guarantee the show even in the preseason. Patrick Mahomes played two series. The time to slip a pass in the back to Travis Kelce, but also a 39-yard pass to Xavier Worthy. The receiver chosen in the first round shone, catching a 22-yard touchdown pass thrown by Carson Wentz a little later in the game. Mahomes also found Justin Watson for 20 yards. If Kansas City was satisfied with two field goals, everything already seems to be in place.
The Lions' starters were rested, so the focus shifted to the battle for the No. 2 quarterback position. Nate Sudfeld (14/27, 196 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) played the first half. But it was Hendon Hooker (12/15, 150 yards) who led his team to victory in the second half of the game. The sophomore seemed to gain confidence as the minutes went by. There were mistakes (1 sack, 1 fumble), but he also showed potential.
Baltimore Ravens – Atlanta Falcons: 13-12
In a game without many starters, Baltimore won the game on the wire after a missed two-point conversion by the Falcons.
Dominating in the air, the Ravens were able to count on a quarterback duo in form: veteran Josh Johnson (11/11, 120 yards 1 TD) and rookie Emory Jones (7/9, 100 yards, 1 TD). The latter found rookie Dayton Wade (67 yards) to give his team a 7-point lead. The Falcons defense, however, has no reason to be ashamed of its performance, with an omnipresent Natrone Brooks (13 tackles) and a sack for rookie Ruke Orhorhoro.
On the Atlanta side, the most notable performances came from runner Jase McClellan (55 yards, 1 TD) and receiver Chris Blair (91 yards). Taylor Heinicke (8/16, 114 yards) was true to himself, neither decisive nor catastrophic. Baltimore's defense did not produce any great individual performances, but the overall result remains satisfactory.
Houston Texans – New York Giants: 28-10
This game was supposed to be an opportunity for Daniel Jones (11/18, 138 yards, 2 INT) to find his bearings, but it turned into a bit of an ordeal. Midway through the first quarter, the quarterback gave Jalen Pitre a defensive touchdown after a risky throw 5 yards from his endzone. On the next drive, it was Derek Stingley (3 passes defended) who intercepted the Giants' thrower. Although he recovered afterwards, he failed to dispel doubts about his status.
The receivers were able to show themselves, however, notably Darius Slayton (59 yards) and Malik Nabers (54 yards), the latter making an acrobatic reception, proof of his talent. The Houston defense did the job, in the wake of an omnipresent Stingley and this despite the absence of pass rush. Despite the Giants' comeback to 7 all, the Texans accelerated with each return of the opponent to secure the victory.
CJ Stroud (7/10, 88 yards) was solid, while Case Keenum (7/13, 73 yards, 1 TD) was well helped by a John Metchie (68 yards, 1 TD) who finally seems to be taking off after a start to his career marked by illness. The running game, however, did not convince, with Cam Akers (29 yards) lacking explosiveness, even if British Brooks (23 yards, 2 TD) distinguished himself in the finish.
The Giants' defense helped Houston with a weak performance. It is finally in special teams that New York can smile, with a sharp Isaiah McKenzie who seems to have assimilated the new format.
Cleveland Browns – Minnesota Vikings: 12-27
With JJ McCarthy sidelined for the entire season, Minnesota didn't take any risks with Sam Darnold, who was rested. Nick Mullens (11/21, 135 yards, 1 TD) started the game. He took 3 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in one half. Because even with substitutes, the Browns' defense was very aggressive.
No starters for Cleveland either, but a worsening situation on the offensive line. James Hudson, Hakeem Adeniji and Germain Ifedi are all out with injuries, while Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin are already on injured reserve right now.
Carolina Panthers – New York Jets: 12-15
No Aaron Rodgers or Bryce Young. Both teams rested their starters.
On the Carolina side, young receivers Terrace Marshall (2 rec, 14 yards) and Jonathan Mingo (1 rec, 4 yards) showed themselves a little. The satisfaction was rather defensive on the Jets side, with a big sack by Will McDonald, a player selected in the first round in 2023.
Indianapolis Colts – Arizona Cardinals: 21-13
Substitutes match. And it was the Colts, especially in defense, who shone. Clayton Tune (8/10, 79 yards) was sacked three times before giving way to Desmond Ridder (6/10, 71 yards).
Arizona's defense was also incisive, with 4 sacks combined.
Tennessee Titans – Seattle Seahawks: 16-15
No starters for both teams. But it's still a tough observation for Malik Willis (12/16, 116 yards, 1 int), who doesn't seem to be progressing. He doesn't seem able to dislodge Mason Rudolph (10/17, 125 yards, 1 TD) from the number two quarterback position. Tennessee will console itself with the great defensive performance of rookie linebacker Jaylen Harrell, author of 2 sacks in only 18 snaps.
Sam Howell (11/14, 153 yards, 1 TD) had a good game for Seattle. He should be a solid backup to Geno Smith.
Los Angeles Chargers – Los Angeles Rams: 9-13
Both teams had better hope their starting quarterbacks stay healthy. With Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert out with minor injuries, both Los Angeles franchises watched their backup pitchers face off in a pitiful contest.
Stetson Bennett (17/31, 213 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) played the entire game for the Rams. It was less catastrophic than the previous week, and he was helped by his team's young receivers, like Jordan Whittington (5 rec, 52 yards). But it's still very fair.
On the other side, Easton Stick (8/13, 85 yards, 1 int) and Luis Perez (13/20, 78 yards) alternated between weak performances. In the end, there were more interceptions (2) than touchdowns (1) in this match.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 20-7
Parker Washington (3 rec, 38 yards, 1 TD) continues to shine in the preseason to claim a role in the Jaguars' offense. Jacksonville relied heavily on the ground in this game, rushing for 140 yards on 38 carries. Mac Jones (16/23, 210 yards, 2 TDs) was the starting quarterback in the absence of Trevor Lawrence and the other team stalwarts. The former Patriot made a few mistakes, but he also made a few nice throws.
Tampa rested its starters. The Buccaneers gained just over 200 yards on offense. The defense was pleased, with second-year player Markees Watts' three sacks.
