New Orleans Saints – Los Angeles Chargers : 27-10
Jameis Winston will have been perfect for his only appearance of the preseason. One streak, one touchdown, no missed passes. The incumbent finishes with a 4/4 record for 59 yards). It was Mark Ingram who completed the series by entering the end zone on the ground. But Winston found Jarvis Landry (2 rec, 35 yards), Chris Olave (1 rec, 19 yards) and Kamara (2 carries, 19 yards – 1 rec, 5 yards). A few very encouraging minutes for the New Orleans attack.
Better yet, Andy Dalton (5/5, 73 yards) went for another touchdown immediately after, on a new series completed by Ingram. The black spot of the evening was the injury to the foot of rookie left tackle Trevor Penning, who left the field on a stretcher. The seriousness of the problem remains to be assessed.
As for the Chargers, unsurprisingly, Brandon Staley did not play his incumbents. Chase Daniel (10/11, 113 yards) took the opportunity to establish his place as Justin Herbert’s regular understudy.
Las Vegas Raiders – New England Patriots : 23-6
Should we start worrying about the Patriots offense? Four series for holders, and only 74 yards and 3 points reported. Worse, a touchdown was canceled by a penalty.
Mac Jones (9/13, 71 yards, 1 int) threw a nasty interception and took two sacks that cost 19 yards.
In seven offensive series during the preseason, the New England attack finished with four punts after three attempts, a loose ball, a field goal and a single touchdown. Matt Patricia’s experience in command of the attack continues to raise questions.
The Raiders don’t have those kinds of problems. Firstly because the question of the performance of the incumbents does not arise: they were all at rest this Friday. Still, the group went for a fourth win in as many preseason games. This is the first time in their history that the Raiders have finished a preparation undefeated. If the offense will be the attraction of the year, in Nevada, it was the defense that took out the barbed wire against the Patriots, with 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and a covered fumble. Tashan Bower was the star with two successful sacks in addition to his 5 tackles and recovering a fumble.
Jarrett Stidham (4/6, 72 yards) went for 10 points in two series to finish a good preparation which made him number two behind Derek Carr.
Carolina Panthers – Buffalo Bills : 21-0
In a 36-minute game delayed by thunderstorms in the Charlotte area, starters Carolina, with the exception of resting Christian McCaffrey, overtook substitutes Buffalo. But beyond the result, the Panthers may have lost a new quarterback for a while. Returned shortly before the end of the 1re halftime, Sam Darnold (5/11, 49 yards + 2 carries, 1 yard, 1 touchdown) left the field on a cart at the end of the 3rd quarter, after CJ Brewer landed on his left ankle. Before that, he had time to score a touchdown on the ground on a one-yard run to extend the lead to 21-0. Zane Gonzalez (K) and Derrick Brown (DT) were also injured during the game.
However, everything had started better for the locals. Established, Baker Mayfield (9/15, 89 yards, 2 touchdowns + 1 run, 4 yards) led his team twice in the end zone in 4 series (a 2-yard touchdown pass to D’Onta Foreman and a 19-yard one to Shi Smith). The old 1is draft pick showed composure in his pocket, and did not back down on contact when he had to get out. Like a shoulder kick given to cornerback Kaiir Elam. After Darnold’s injury, PJ Walker finished the game behind center.
In Buffalo, the essential was elsewhere. The Bills rested all their starters, including Josh Allen, to avoid injury less than 2 weeks before the opening against Rams. And they rather struggled to move the chains with only 191 yards gained on offense and a 0/2 in the red zone. Two punts, 1 out of 4 failurese attempt, 1 interception, Case Keenum (8/13, 46 yards, 1 interception + 2 races, 1 yard) did not experience the same success as last week. His loss of ball also led to 2e Carolina touchdown. It was not much better for Matt Barkley (9/13, 100 yards) after the break, with 2 out of 4 failurese attempt and 2 punts. The 3e quarterback distinguished himself on special teams, where he replaced punter Matt Araiza, left out following charges of gang rape revealed by the Los Angeles Times.
Dallas Cowboys – Seattle Seahawks : 27-26
Officially designated holder by Pete Carroll after the match, Geno Smith (3/6, 43 yards) only played one series, completed by a field goal. Then Lock and the others were slaughtered by a very leggy Cowboys defense, even with his backups.
Drew Lock (13/24, 171 yards, 1 TD, 3 int) participated in the balloon festival lost by Seattle, five in total. In the absence of the main holders, DeeJay Dallas (13 races, 75 yards, 1 TD) recalled that he can help out on the ground if necessary.
Dallas’ offensive starters didn’t see the ball. It was Ben DiNucci who threw the winning touchdown to Peyton Hendershot just over 4 minutes from time.