NFL Preseason Kickoff: Standouts, Rookie Debuts, and Key Takeaways From Thursday’s Six-Game Slate

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Thursday night officially kicked off Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason. With star starters playing sparingly or taking the night off, six games across the league provided crucial evaluation snaps for rookies, backup quarterbacks, and roster-bubble hopefuls. It’s the start of the new NFL season, and teams are taking a close look at what they have to compete.

From rookie passers turning heads in Pittsburgh to a rare summer deadlock in Foxborough, here is the comprehensive breakdown of Thursday’s action.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Green Bay Packers 9

Venue: Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh, PA
Key Highlight: Rookie quarterback Drew Allar put on a clinical display, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for another to lead Pittsburgh to a convincing home win.

                    GAME STATS: PACKERS AT STEELERS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Green Bay Packers (9)   : Outmaneuvered on third downs      │
   │ Pittsburgh Steelers (28): 3 total TDs from QB Drew Allar    │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Breakdown

The Steelers operated with sharp precision on offense behind rookie Drew Allar. Showing great poise against Green Bay’s second-unit defense, Allar systematically moved the chains with key third-down conversions, delivering a pair of scoring passes before punching in a rushing touchdown himself. Pittsburgh’s defense restricted Green Bay to three field goals, keeping the Packers out of the end zone all evening.

2. Los Angeles Chargers 27, Houston Texans 7

Venue: NRG Stadium | Houston, TX
Key Highlight: Running back Amar Johnson erupted for two touchdowns and a 55-yard reception to power the Chargers past Houston.

Game Breakdown

While starters Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud looked on from the sidelines, second-year back Amar Johnson stole the spotlight in Houston. Johnson scored on a 7-yard scamper in the second quarter before blowing the game open in the fourth frame. After breaking loose for a 55-yard catch-and-run, Johnson punched in a 1-yard touchdown and converted the two-point try.

Trey Lance started under center for Los Angeles, finishing 12-of-20 for 164 yards. For Houston, starting backup Davis Mills completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jared Wayne on the opening drive before taking over again late in the second quarter after rookie Graham Mertz suffered a second-quarter injury.

3. Arizona Cardinals 27, Las Vegas Raiders 14

Venue: Allegiant Stadium | Las Vegas, NV
Key Highlight: No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza threw his first career preseason touchdown pass for Las Vegas, but Arizona pulled away late.

                    GAME STATS: CARDINALS AT RAIDERS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Arizona Cardinals (27) : Pulled away with 13-point win     │
   │ Las Vegas Raiders (14) : Mendoza throws 1st preseason TD    │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Breakdown

All eyes in Sin City were on rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza showed flashes of potential, connecting on a touchdown drive to highlight his debut. However, Arizona’s deeper reserve roster took over in the second half, capitalizing on defensive stops to lock up a 13-point road victory.

4. Cincinnati Bengals 16, Detroit Lions 14

Venue: Paycor Stadium | Cincinnati, OH
Key Highlight: Joe Burrow took the field for a brief opening drive before veteran Joe Flacco threw a touchdown pass to lift the Bengals.

                    GAME STATS: LIONS AT BENGALS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Detroit Lions (14)     : Competitive fight from reserves    │
   │ Cincinnati Bengals (16): Burrow starts, Flacco throws TD    │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Breakdown

Cincinnati fans got a quick glimpse of franchise signal-caller Joe Burrow on the opening series. Backup Joe Flacco then took the reins, delivering a crisp touchdown pass to establish a lead. Detroit’s depth kept the game within striking distance late, but Cincinnati’s defense held firm on a late fourth-quarter possession to edge out the two-point win.

5. New England Patriots 13, Indianapolis Colts 13

Venue: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA
Key Highlight: Anthony Richardson scored on a rushing touchdown as Indianapolis and New England fought to a rare preseason deadlock.

                    GAME STATS: COLTS AT PATRIOTS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Indianapolis Colts (13)    : Richardson rushing TD          │
   │ New England Patriots (13)  : Game ends in 13–13 tie         │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Breakdown

In a classic defensive battle, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson provided the splash play of the first half, using his physical running style to punch in a touchdown on the ground. New England’s defense stiffened in the second half, and a late field goal drive knotted the score at 13–13, where it stood at the final whistle.

6. Tennessee Titans 19, San Francisco 49ers 13

Venue: Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA
Key Highlight: Tennessee’s ground game controlled the clock down the stretch to pull off a road victory over San Francisco.

                    GAME STATS: TITANS AT 49ERS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Tennessee Titans (19)  : Ground attack controls 2nd half    │
   │ San Francisco 49ers (13): Late drive falls short            │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Breakdown

The Titans closed out Thursday’s schedule with a hard-nosed, 19–13 win at Levi’s Stadium. Relying on physical offensive line play and sustained drives in the third and fourth quarters, Tennessee limited the 49ers’ offensive touches and sealed the contest with a late third-down conversion.