\nAnthony Richardson Sr. throws a pick off a deflection for the Colts \ud83d\udc94<\/p>\n
(via @NFL<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/Q5D3YF5wzB<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Richardson, the fourth pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, is trying to get some positive footing in his NFL career but time is running out to make a great impression. That's why it was important that he rebounded in the second quarter against the Patriots. <\/p>\n
Richardson's strength is his mobility and he showed that on a 22-yard run. The Colts got to the 1-yard line on that drive but running back Seth McGowan lost a fumble to end the drive. On Indianapolis' next drive Richardson showed off some arm strength on a nice pass to D.J. Montgomery over the middle, and then he hit Mallory on two straight passes for 18 and 19 yards. He looked like he had a touchdown pass at the end of the drive on a dump-off pass but Ulysses Bentley IV was ruled just short of the goal line after a replay review. Richardson took it in on a quarterback sneak from 1 yard out of the next play. <\/p>\n
By the end of the first half Richardson went 11-of-14 passing for 145 yards along with 53 rushing yards on six attempts. Richardson also lost a fumble<\/a> at the end of a run, which won't please the coaches, but on the whole his outing was promising. Riley Leonard started the second half and was 10 of 21 for 89 yards. The game ended in a 13-13 tie after the Patriots missed a 49-yard field goal with 10 seconds left. <\/p>\n
Richardson getting the start was notable because he has not separated himself<\/a> from Leonard in the competition to be the Colts' No. 2 quarterback. Richardson barely played last season after being benched and suffering a broken orbital bone due to a mishap with a resistance band. He threw two passes all season. That's not ideal for a player who needs experience to improve. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n That's why preseason is essential. There are still questions over whether Richardson has made progress, and also lingering questions about his vision<\/a> after that eye injury last year. Richardson isn't going to play ahead of Daniel Jones (who, like other Colts starters, didn't play against the Patriots) and might not even win the No. 2 job over Leonard, so opportunities to put something good on tape for the Colts or any other team are limited. Richardson made a trade request and while that hasn't happened, what he does in the preseason could affect his market for better or worse. <\/p>\n
Richardson wasn't perfect against the Patriots but he made some nice plays. It will be important to keep that positive momentum going through the Colts' preseason, regardless of what the future holds for him. <\/p>\n
Anthony Richardson Sr. of the Indianapolis Colts warms up prior to Thursday's game against the Patriots. (Photo by Michael Owens\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption> Michael Owens via Getty Images<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nSpotlight team: Las Vegas Raiders<\/h2>\n
The highlight of the Raiders' preseason opener was, of course, the NFL preseason debut<\/a> of top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. But he wasn't the only attraction at Allegiant Stadium. After a roster overhaul and the hiring of Klint Kubiak as Las Vegas' new head coach, the Raiders' starting offense looked sharp. <\/p>\n
Most of the Raiders' offensive starters played and looked good in Kubiak's scheme. Ashton Jeanty had a nice 10-yard run behind new center Tyler Linderbaum, whom the Raiders gave a record-setting deal to in free agency. Kirk Cousins had some nice passes, including a third-down throw to Jack Bech to keep a drive alive, a quick toss to Tre Tucker that Tucker turned into a 16-yard gain and a touchdown pass to tight end Michael Mayer. Cousins completed 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards on Las Vegas' opening drive, and then his night was done. <\/p>\n
\n\nKIRK COUSINS FIRST DRIVE WITH THE RAIDERS ENDS WITH A TOUCHDOWN \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n
5\/6
50 YDS
1 TD<\/p>\n(via @NFL<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/iwN9rSCKyd<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Mendoza came in after Cousins and led a touchdown drive of his own in the second quarter. He finished 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a touchdown pass. The Cardinals went on to win 27-14. <\/p>\n
Mendoza will be a topic all preseason and into the regular season, but maybe there will be more to be excited about in Las Vegas this season. <\/p>\n
Standout player: Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love<\/h2>\n
Love's first preseason game wasn't notable until a few nice runs in the second quarter, after the rest of the starters' night was done. <\/p>\n
Love started against the Raiders, as did the Cardinals' other offensive starters. His first run was decent, for 3 yards off the left side. On his second run, Love lost his footing in the hole and was hit hard by linebacker Quay Walker. Then he got a pass but couldn't break the tackle of cornerback Taron Johnson and it gained just 2 yards. <\/p>\n
The Cardinals' starters departed after one drive but Love did not. He had a nice highlight, showing burst to the outside and then a spin move for another few yards to pick up 9 yards on a third-and-1. That ability is why Love was the third pick of the NFL Draft. <\/p>\n
\n\nJeremiyah Love making a couple of guys miss \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/0zWxy27wgW<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
That seemed to get Love going. he showed great speed on a couple of runs late in the second quarter. He had back-to-back runs of 15 yards each sandwiched around the two-minute warning. He looked good, even though it was odd to see him getting so many carries, especially behind the second-team line. Love suffered an ankle injury<\/a> but Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur did not believe it was serious, via Darren Urban of the Cardinals\u2019 team site. <\/p>\n
\n\nLOVE IS IN THE AIR \ud83c\udd99<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcf2 NFL+ pic.twitter.com\/PN6FL971tX<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Love finished the first half with 58 rushing yards on 11 carries, and three catches for 15 yards. That should be enough to get Cardinals fans excited. <\/p>\n
Other games<\/h2>\n
Cincinnati Bengals 16, Detroit Lions 14 : <\/strong>The Bengals used to not play starters in the preseason, but slow starts in the regular season have caused them to give the first team some time in August. Joe Burrow completed a pass to Ja'Marr Chase over the middle, but also took a sack that stalled Cincinnati's first drive. <\/p>\n
The second drive ended when Burrow, under pressure, misfired on a third-down throw to tight end Mike Gesicki. That was the end of the night for Cincinnati's starters (the Lions sat starters Thursday). <\/p>\n
The Bengals' offensive line has been an issue and Thursday night's short outing won't quell those concerns. <\/p>\n
\n\nAhmed got 'em! pic.twitter.com\/qLYfqIXgVr<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 13, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Green Bay Packers 9: <\/strong>Jordan Love got some snaps for the Packers, though his former teammate Aaron Rodgers sat out for the Steelers (the two did exchange pleasantries<\/a> before the game). Love played one series, which resulted in a 37-yard field goal from Trey Smack, a rookie kicker. Smack, who has had some inconsistent moments in training camp, also hit a 58-yard field goal on that drive but it was taken off the board because the Packers accepted a Steelers penalty. <\/p>\n
Los Angeles Chargers 27, Houston Texans 7: <\/strong>Neither team played its starters. Trey Lance got the start at quarterback for the Chargers with Justin Herbert sitting out. Lance went 12 of 20 for 164 yards with 27 yards rushing. <\/p>\n
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers: <\/strong>The 49ers, dealing with many injuries, didn't use starters and even backup quarterback Mac Jones was held out. Cam Ward played for the Titans and completed his first pass for 18 yards to Calvin Ridley. <\/p>\n
The Titans scored a TD on that opening drive. <\/p>\n
\n\n11 plays, 95 yards for a TD on the Titans first drive of the preseason \u2694\ufe0f <\/p>\n
The Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll era has begun in Tennessee \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/718elOqHoo<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Final thoughts<\/h2>\n
\u2022 MarShawn Lloyd<\/strong> got the start at running back for the Packers. His role is notable because Josh Jacobs<\/strong> could face discipline from the NFL for an arrest on multiple charges stemming from a domestic dispute<\/a>. Lloyd had 13 yards on four carries on Green Bay's first drive and also a catch that lost 4 yards. Lloyd hasn't been able to stay healthy in his career, but the Packers are thin behind Jacobs and the 2024 third-round pick has a chance to have an impact. <\/p>\n
\u2022 There is also curiosity about how the Packers will line up when they use two-receiver sets. During the first drive Thursday, Christian Watson<\/strong> and Matthew Golden<\/strong> were on the field in 12 personnel (one receiver, two tight ends, two receivers). However, Jayden Reed<\/strong> caught the first pass of the game from Jordan Love<\/strong>. The Packers mostly played three or more receivers on the first drive with the starters. <\/p>\n
\u2022 Drake Maye<\/strong> didn't play for the Patriots on Thursday night. Tommy DeVito<\/strong> is the team's backup going into the season, barring a move. DeVito barely missed a long touchdown to Mack Hollins<\/strong> on New England's first drive, but got the team into position for a field goal. <\/p>\n
\u2022 Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson<\/strong>, a third-round draft pick in 2025 who struggled early last season and got buried on the depth chart, is further down the depth chart heading into his second season. Travis Homer<\/strong> got the start for the Steelers, with their top two backs sitting out, and 2023 seventh-round pick Lew Nichols came in after him. Nichols looked like he had a 6-yard touchdown run but it came back due to a penalty. Johnson didn't get his first carry until deep into the third quarter and has to be in danger of not making the roster. <\/p>\n
\u2022 Marvin Harrison Jr.<\/strong> made a play to start the preseason. After he drew a defensive pass interference call on the Cardinals' first drive, Jacoby Brissett<\/strong> made a great throw to find Harrison as he crossed the back of the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown. <\/p>\n
\n\nMarvin Harrison Jr. for 6!<\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/veLsiXMlsY<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Michael Wilson<\/strong> also had 23 yards on two catches during the drive. The Cardinals have the skill-position talent to put up points, though their defense might rank among the worst in the NFL. Harrison's development after two relatively quiet seasons to start his career is one of the biggest storylines of Arizona's season. <\/p>\n
\u2022 The 49ers need pass catchers to emerge with Ricky Pearsall<\/strong> already done for the season and George Kittle<\/strong> working back from an Achilles injury. They were criticized for the pick of De'Zhaun Stribling<\/strong> to start the second round, but he looked pretty good in his preseason debut.<\/p>\n
Stribling already had seven catches before the midway point of the second quarter. That included a 32-yard gain and a really nice catch when he was hit as the ball arrived, but he held on. He had seven catches for 63 yards in the first half. <\/p>\n
\n\n.@49ers<\/a> second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling holds on for a first down<\/p>\n
TENvsSF on @nflnetwork<\/a>
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/11cQONDw9V<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\u2022 The Steelers have four quarterbacks who might make the 53-man roster<\/a>, and three played on Thursday night. They all played well, too. Mason Rudolph<\/strong> started and was 10 of 11 for 93 yards. He was followed by second-year quarterback Will Howard<\/strong>, who went 7 of 9 for 86 yards. Rookie Drew Allar <\/strong>came in third and was 10 of 13 for 154 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
\n\nDrew Allar's best plays from 153-yard, 3 total TD performance in preseason win over the Packers.@AllarDrew<\/a>@Steelers<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/0wH4wfcEkY<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Anthony](\"https:\/\/d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net\/images\/2026-08\/64805be0-bf42-485e-989d-203358911d49\")