The Green Bay Packers experienced a rocky start in their preseason matchup against the Denver Broncos, going scoreless for nearly three quarters. The breakthrough moment for the Packers came when defensive end Zach Morton sacked Zach Wilson in the end zone, earning the Packers their first points with a safety.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos’ rookie quarterback Bo Nix demonstrated promise, completing an impressive 8 of 9 passes for 80 yards, including a touchdown pass to Tim Patrick at the goal line. Veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham added to the momentum with a 9-yard touchdown run just before halftime.
Over at Levi's Stadium, Josh Dobbs was instrumental for the San Francisco 49ers. Dobbs orchestrated a touchdown drive during the closing moments of the first half, evading multiple tackles and keeping the chains moving on a crucial first-and-10 play from midfield. The effort culminated in a determined 1-yard touchdown run.
In Dallas, kicker Brandon Aubrey captured attention with a remarkable 66-yard field goal to conclude the first half, a standout moment for the Cowboys. Elsewhere, the Las Vegas Raiders' Tre Tucker showcased his versatile skills with a 40-plus yard punt return and a deep catch from a pass thrown by Gardner Minshew. Minshew, who started for the Raiders, completed 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards, generating three points over more than a quarter of play.
Pittsburgh Steelers' debutant Russell Wilson faced significant pressure in his first outing, enduring three sacks against the Buffalo Bills. Despite the struggles, Justin Fields managed to evade what appeared to be a guaranteed sack, making an impressive pass down the sideline for the Steelers.
For the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mac Jones made an impact by connecting on a third-and-long touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Another notable defensive play came from Jaylen McCollough for the Los Angeles Rams, who executed a diving interception off a pass by Easton Stick and intercepted a tipped pass in a separate incident.
In Miami, Tua Tagovailoa delivered a solid performance, connecting with River Cracraft for a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders. Similarly, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall of the Minnesota Vikings each recorded touchdown passes in their matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Patrick Mahomes, ever the showman for the Kansas City Chiefs, pulled off an impressive behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce, wowing fans and showcasing his creative playmaking abilities. On the other hand, Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams demonstrated significant progress in his second preseason game.
However, it was a tough outing for Daniel Jones of the New York Giants, who threw two interceptions against the Houston Texans, highlighting areas for potential improvement as the season approaches. Tanner McKee rounded out the evening's action, executing several precise sideline throws for the Philadelphia Eagles in their game against the New England Patriots.
Overall, the preseason games have already provided a glimpse of what the upcoming NFL season may hold. From standout performances to areas needing refinement, players and teams are showcasing their abilities and strategies, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing season.