Buffalo Bills – Carolina Panthers (26-31): Bryce Young at ease
Bryce Young (6/8, 70 yards) was the star of the night. And for good reason. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft had a successful debut under new coach Dave Canales. He only played one offensive series, but it was excellent, with a fourth-down conversion and a touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews. The line was solid, Bryce Young was calm. Now we just have to replicate that in the regular season.
Buffalo didn't play its starters. The most prominent player was a household name. Frank Gore Jr., son of the 49ers legend, carried 18 balls for 101 yards and a touchdown. He's fighting for a roster spot with the Bills.
Seattle Seahawks – Cleveland Browns (37-33): Geno Smith on point
One series, five plays, all passing, and most importantly a touchdown. Geno Smith and the starters couldn't have had a better night and reassured themselves before the serious stuff. For his first (and only) snaps of the preseason, Smith notably found Jackson Smith-Njigba for 25 yards, then DK Metcalf for 21 lengths and a touchdown. The quarterback also showed that he had the legs to escape pressure.
The Browns did start an alleged sexual assaulter at quarterback, but not Deshaun Watson, who was apparently spared because of his shoulder. Jameis Winston (6/9, 63 yards) led two scoreless series before giving way to Dorian Thompson-Robinson (11/20, 115 yards, 1 TD), who notably made Jamari Trash (4 rec, 73 yards, 1 TD) shine. Tyler Huntley (17/22, 146 yards, 3 TDs) finished the game. It wouldn't be surprising to see one of these three quarterbacks get traded. Thompson-Robinson has been in the rumor mill in recent days.
Dallas Cowboys – Los Angeles Chargers (19-26): Trey Lance's hell
At one time, Trey Lance was a third-round pick who was supposed to be the future of the 49ers. That was only three years ago. Now, Trey Lance is here to play in the Cowboys' late preseason games… and not to shine. While the former prospect threw a few nice passes (33/49, 323 yards, 1 TD), he was mostly intercepted 5 times Saturday night! Lance has shown that he is elusive on the ground (11 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD), but that's not enough to make a career as an NFL quarterback.
The one who had the most fun with Lance's misfortunes was Tony Jefferson. The 32-year-old safety had 14 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 sack. He also forced a receiver's fumble. Enough to earn himself a spot on Jim Harbaugh's roster.
Detroit Lions – Pittsburgh Steelers (24-17): Russell Wilson advantage?
Uneventful evening in the Steelers' quarterback fight?
Russell Wilson (2/2, 26 yards) started the game and played only one short series, capped by a 31-yard touchdown run by Cordarrelle Patterson. Wilson found George Pickens for 32 yards. Then, Justin Fields led a short attack after a ball was recovered by the defense in the opposing field. He only completed short passes, before another touchdown on the ground, this time by La'Micale Perine. Fields (3/4, 40 yards) had two more possessions, each time capped by a punt. The former Bear fumbled the ball on a third down attempt, but he recovered. Mike Tomlin has not announced his starting rusher at this time.
The Lions rested their starters. Hendon Hooker (12/20, 114 yards, 1 TD, 1 int – 10 carries, 93 yards) first took on water (5 sacks) before finding his rhythm and leading his team's comeback. He may have managed to steal the number two spot from Nate Sudfeld.
Philadelphia Eagles – Minnesota Vikings (3-26): DeJean is the right size
Four tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass defensed, and even a punt return appearance. In his preseason debut, Cooper DeJean was not spared. Lined up at safety, the Eagles' second-round pick was penalized early in the game, before recovering and playing a good game.
Substitutes were everywhere for both teams.
Green Bay Packers – Baltimore Ravens (30-7): running cheese
No starters in this game, on either side. Green Bay pressed on the ground with 193 combined yards between Ellis Merriweather (74 yards), Nate McCrary (64) and Emmanuel Wilson (52), who are fighting for a spot on the roster.
The Ravens suffered mostly from injuries. Owen Wright, their third-string rusher, was taken off on a stretcher. Same thing for Nick Samac, rookie of the offensive line, who was injured in the leg, while he was gaining playing time during the preparation.
Houston Texans – Los Angeles Rams (17-15): Cam Akers’ return to revenge
Seven carries for 53 yards. Cam Akers is still here. He's no longer wearing the jersey of the Rams, who selected him in the second round in 2020, but he showed that he should have a future in the NFL this season, in Houston or elsewhere. If he stays with the Texans, he will form a trio with Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce that will scare defenses and medical staffs alike.
Sean McVay, who already doesn't play starters in the preseason, didn't even play some backups like Stetson Bennett. He probably would have played the fans if that were possible.
New York Jets – New York Giants (10-6): but who are these people?
Not only did Aaron Rodgers not play, but the Jets have guys like Adrian Martinez and Andrew Peasley at quarterback. They have two things in common: They're both 24 years old and nobody knows them.
Takkarist McKinley, known for being a first-round pick who didn't make it with the Falcons, was better this Saturday, as he brought 2.5 sacks to the Jets.
Tommy DeVito (14/27, 103 yards) played the entire game for the Giants. A performance that will not allow him to overtake Daniel Jones and Drew Lock, yet one of the most depressing quarterback duos in the entire NFL.
