Former Division II quarterback Jack Strand threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, leading the visiting Atlanta Falcons to a convincing 34-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon in preseason action.
Strand, an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State-Moorhead, made a strong case to be Atlanta’s third-string quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa — who are still battling for the starting job and both sat against the Colts. Strand completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards, including a 13-yard score to fellow rookie Cash Jones, and scampered for a 16-yard score early in the third quarter.
Cooper Rush, who got the start for the Falcons (1-1), also impressed, completing 10 of 11 passes for 86 yards. Running backs Tyler Goodson (59 yards) and Nathan Carter (42 yards) also added rushing touchdowns for Atlanta, which outgained Indianapolis 461-164.
The Colts (0-1-1) got all of their points from a pair of Spencer Shrader field goals and struggled to generate much offense with their reserve quarterbacks, converting 1 of 11 third-down attempts. Of Indianapolis’ 79 passing yards from reserves Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr., 39 of them came on a single completion to Coleman Owen.
Lions 17, Commanders 13
Detroit rested its starters but used rushing touchdowns from Joshua Dobbs and Trayveon Williams to come away with a win over visiting Washington.
Dobbs, the backup quarterback for the Lions (1-1) behind Jared Goff, had an eventful first quarter, with his first drive ending on a strip-sack, his second on an interception and his third on a 50-yard touchdown run. Rookie third-stringer Luke Altmyer got the majority of the reps, completing 9 of 13 passes for 86 yards.
Jayden Daniels, looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season, played one series for the Commanders (1-1). He threw one incomplete pass and was sacked once. Rookie linebacker Joshua Josephs scored Washington’s lone touchdown by recovering Dobbs’ fumble in the end zone 51 seconds into the game.
Washington rookie kicker Drew Stevens, whom the team chose over veteran Jake Moody earlier this week, made both of his field-goal attempts. Detroit kicker Jake Bates made one of two field-goal attempts.
Bills 31, Browns 7
Rookie receiver Ja’Mori Maclin had 108 receiving yards and a touchdown catch to spark Buffalo’s road demolition of Cleveland.
Kyle Allen (10-for-12, 128 yards) and Shane Buechele (5-for-10, 111 yards) each threw a touchdown pass for the Bills (2-0), who outscored the Browns 17-0 in the second half. Maclin’s 71-yard catch-and-run score made it 24-7 late in the third quarter. Frank Gore Jr., the son of the former Bills running back, ran for 54 yards, just behind Ian Wheeler’s game-high 56 rushing yards.
The quarterback battle for Cleveland (0-2) seems to have narrowed to Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, with Dillon Gabriel attempting just one pass late in the loss. Neither had a particularly strong day, but Sanders (9-for-11, 74 yards, one touchdown, one interception) had a better showing than Watson (5-for-12, 36 yards, one pick). Luke Floriea’s first-quarter touchdown catch provided the Browns’ only points.
Ravens 13, Vikings 3
Joe Fagnano continued a strong preseason showing for Baltimore, throwing for 123 yards and a touchdown in a victory over host Minnesota.
The undrafted rookie out of UConn completed 15 of 20 passes for the Ravens (2-0) and has 347 passing yards, two TDs and one interception through two games. His third-quarter touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester put Baltimore ahead for good, breaking a 3-3 tie. The Ravens’ defense had five sacks, while kicker Tyler Loop made a pair of field goals.
With starter Kyler Murray sitting, former first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy got the start for the Vikings (1-1). He completed 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards, completing a 50-yard deep pass to Tai Felton (game-high 66 receiving yards) but also overthrowing a wide-open receiver on fourth-and-goal. Carson Wentz was 9-of-11 passing for 92 yards in relief of McCarthy.
Rams 34, Saints 0
Stetson Bennett IV passed for 181 yards and rushed for two touchdowns, rookie Ty Simpson passed for 73 yards and Los Angeles raised the stakes in its backup quarterback battle during the victory over visiting New Orleans.
Bennett had 1- and 8-yard rushing TDs in the second quarter and safety Alex Cook returned an interception 100 yards for a third-quarter score. Jarquez Hunter ran for 68 yards, including a 12-yard TD, for the Rams (2-0).
The Los Angeles defense had two takeaways near the goal line in the third quarter. In addition to Cook’s interception, defensive tackle Payton Zdroik recovered a fumble at the 2-yard line.
Spencer Rattler was 14-of-23 passing for 141 yards and an interception for the Saints (0-2), while Zach Wilson was 6-of-12 passing for 55 yards and an interception. New Orleans gave up 405 yards of total offense while gaining 293 yards.
Giants 26, Dolphins 3
Jameis Winston passed for 150 yards and ran for a touchdown, Devin Singletary rushed for 40 yards with a score and visiting New York rolled past Miami.
Winston and Singletary each ran for first-half touchdowns as the Giants (1-1) led 20-3 at halftime. New York outgained Miami 390-102 in total yards. Brandon Allen spent time at quarterback for the Giants and was 13 of 18 for 101 yards.
Cam Miller was 6-of-11 passing for 60 yards and had 18 yards rushing for the Dolphins (0-2), who were held to 50 yards on the ground and had just three first downs to 26 for the Giants.
The game was played two days after a fight-marred joint practice between the teams.
Bengals 27, Bears 9
Veteran Josh Johnson threw for 156 yards with a pair of touchdowns as Cincinnati handled Chicago.
Cincinnati starting quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t play. Johnson, 40, is on his seventh NFL franchise, rejoining the Bengals after spending 2025 with the Washington Commanders.
Colbie Young, Noah Thomas and Tanner Hudson had touchdown receptions for the Bengals, who improved to 2-0 in the preseason. Landon Robinson had 1.5 sacks.
Quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears (1-1) starters played a series, managing a field goal on the opening drive. Williams was 2 of 5 for 28 yards.
Patriots 24, Eagles 21
Tommy DeVito had 151 yards passing with a touchdown and added 44 yards rushing for New England, which won its first game of the preseason (1-0-1) against Philadelphia.
A scary moment happened early as Eagles running back Ja’Quinden Jackson was injured on the opening kickoff. He was taken off the field in an ambulance, but the Eagles announced he had movement in his extremities later on.
DeVito, battling to win the backup job behind Drake Maye, started his second straight game and hit Kyle Williams for a 69-yard touchdown connection in the second quarter. Behren Morton also tossed a touchdown, completing 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards.
Tanner McKee outdueled Andy Dalton in the Eagles (0-2) backup quarterback competition. McKee completed 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Dalton went 3 of 10 for 44 yards.
Buccaneers 16, Chiefs 15
Tampa Bay (2-0) rallied with nine points in the fourth quarter to snatch a win away from Kansas City (0-2).
Harrison Butker made three first-half field goals for the Chiefs, including a 69-yarder as the first half expired. But he also failed on a second-half extra point and missed a potential game-winning field goal after Sean Tucker’s 1-yard touchdown run gave Tampa Bay the fourth-quarter lead.
Rookie Jalon Daniels threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Ko Kieft to spark the rally. He replaced Baker Mayfield, who played two series, and Jake Browning, who threw for 84 yards.
Cowboys 34, Cardinals 13
Joe Milton III threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns, while Jaydon Blue ran for 75 yards on 15 carries and Dallas (2-0) dominated Arizona.
Milton completed 9 of 13 passes and added a touchdown on the ground, while fellow backup Sam Howell suffered an interception as part of his 7-of-10 night. Jonathan Mingo had 62 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Gardner Minshew had 177 yards passing with an interception for the Cardinals (1-2). Evan Hull had 51 yards on the ground, while Tre Stewart added 40.
–Field Level Media
Comments