NFL Preseason Week 1: Allar Scores Three TDs as Cardinals Beat Raiders 27-14

NFL preseason Week 1 kicked off with Drew Allar leading three scoring drives for the Steelers while Jeremiyah Love rushed for 58 yards in Arizona's 27-14 win.

NFL preseason Week 1 commenced with the Arizona Cardinals securing a 27-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Green Bay Packers 28-9. In Arizona's win, No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love carried the ball 11 times for 58 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt, while adding three receptions for 14 yards. The Steelers saw third-round quarterback Drew Allar account for three total touchdowns, including a 3-yard rushing score and passing touchdowns of 5 yards to Kaden Wetjen and 4 yards to Riley Nowakowski. Wetjen also recorded a 74-yard catch-and-run on a third-and-7 play during the third quarter.

Quarterback Battles and Rookie Debuts

In the Raiders' loss, Kirk Cousins started the opening drive, completing 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards. His 10-play, 68-yard possession ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Mayer after completions of 10 yards to Jack Bech and 16 yards to Tre Tucker. No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza finished 10-of-16 for 97 yards in his debut. Mendoza connected with Malik Benson for 19 yards and found Bech for a 6-yard touchdown on third down. However, Mendoza struggled under pressure, going 2-for-6 for 11 yards with a 42.4 passer rating and one sack when facing a 38.9% pressure rate. Running back Mike Washington Jr. contributed a 53-yard rush for Las Vegas.

The Detroit Lions fell 16-14 to the Cincinnati Bengals as undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer went 13-for-21 for 130 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Joshua Dobbs, recently signed to a one-year deal, split snaps with Altmyer and completed 4 of 8 passes for 32 yards. For Cincinnati, second-round defensive end Cashius Howell recovered a fumble and recorded one quarterback pressure in nine snaps. Fourth-round receiver Colbie Young added multiple catches in the first half.

Special Teams and Defensive Standouts

Green Bay Packers rookie kicker Trey Smack converted field goals from 37, 58, and 38 yards. He made a second 58-yard attempt that was negated by a Steelers penalty. Packers quarterback Kyle McCord finished 12-for-14 for 102 yards. Defensively, Pittsburgh's Gabriel Rubio recorded six tackles, while Green Bay's Brandon Cisse started at cornerback. The San Francisco 49ers lost 19-13 to the Tennessee Titans despite De'Zhaun Stribling catching seven passes for 62 yards, including a 32-yard over-the-shoulder reception.

Tennessee's Fernando Carmona started at right guard, while rookie Keldric Faulk recorded pressures using a spin move. Titans free agent Cor'Dale Flott surrendered a 34-yard gain to Stribling and a pass interference penalty that led to a Patrick Taylor Jr. touchdown. 49ers defensive tackle Gracen Halton recorded a run stop and a sack that was nullified by a holding penalty.

Injury Reports and Line Play

Arizona second-round pick Chase Bisontis exited in the third quarter with a left knee injury and did not return. Reggie Virgil contributed a 24-yard one-handed catch for the Cardinals. In the New England Patriots' 13-13 tie with the Indianapolis Colts, seventh-round back Jam Miller rushed 14 times for 55 yards (3.9 YPC). The Patriots placed Terrell Jennings on injured reserve prior to kickoff. First-round tackle Caleb Lomu started for New England but was flagged for an ineligible man downfield penalty.

Indianapolis saw rookie Caden Curry record a team-high five tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and a sack. George Gumbs Jr. added two tackles and a sack, while Bryce Boettcher finished with three tackles. The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Houston Texans 27-7. Chargers undrafted rookie Nadame Tucker led his unit with two pressures, and Brenen Thompson caught two passes for 30 yards. Texans rookie Keylan Rutledge started at center for one drive, which ended in a Jared Wayne touchdown catch from Davis Mills. Marlin Klein added a 31-yard reception for Houston, and Kayden McDonald recorded a run stuff during his 21 snaps.