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2026 NFL preseason Week 1: Takeaways, analysis

ByNFL Nation ESPN logo

Friday, August 14, 2026 4:39AM

The first week of the2026 NFL preseason kicked off Thursday, giving us our first look at rookies and players making debuts with new teams.

To keep you updated on how teams fared, our NFL Nation reporters are summarizing the games below.

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Thursday's games

Cardinals 27, Raiders 14

Cardinals:No. 3 draft pickJeremiyah Love showcased his quick feet and power running during his time on the field Thursday night. It resulted in 11 carries for 58 yards, an average of 5.3 yards per carry. That average showed his ability to find holes and the strength to take on hits. He also had three catches for 14 yards with a long of 14 yards.

Second-round pick Chase Bisontis left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return. He went down holding the back of his left knee and was rolling in agony as he was attended to by trainers.

Wide receiver Reggie Virgil, Arizona's fifth-round pick, made an impressive one-handed catch for a 24-yard gain.--Josh Weinfuss

Next game: vs.Dallas Cowboys(Aug. 22, 10 p.m. ET, NFL Network)

Raiders:The Raiders' quarterback battle between Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza was on full display. Cousins played only the opening drive, which resulted in a touchdown. After he completed a 10-yard pass to Jack Bech and a 16-yard pass to Tre Tucker, he found tight end Michael Mayer for a 13-yard touchdown, which capped off a 10-play, 68-yard drive to begin the game. Cousins completed 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards.

As for the No. 1 pick, Mendoza, he showed off his resilience, a trait admired by the coaching staff. His first drive wasn't great -- he had two incompletions and the Raiders were forced to punt. His second stint was a different story. He completed a 19-yard pass to rookie wide receiver Malik Benson, fitting the ball through a tight window. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. then rushed for 53 yards before Mendoza zipped the ball over the middle to Bech for a 6-yard touchdown pass on third down.

His third drive resulted in a three-and-out. But his fourth and final drive of the evening ended with him putting the Raiders into field goal range. He finished the night completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards. Mendoza did struggle against pressure. He was pressured on 38.9% of dropbacks, going 2-for-6 with 11 yards and a 42.4 passer rating. He was sacked once.--Ryan McFadden

Next game: atHouston Texans(Aug. 20, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Steelers 28, Packers 9

Steelers:Welcome to the NFL (kind of), rookies! The Steelers' rookie class had a solid showing in their preseason debut behind quarterback Drew Allar, who led the team to three touchdowns in his first appearance.

The third-rounder's first came on third-and-7 in the third quarter when he connected with fourth-round receiverKaden Wetjen for a 74-yard catch-and-run. Two plays later, Allar kept the ball on a read-option and ran it into the end zone for a 3-yard score. Allar and Wetjen connected again midway through the fourth quarter, this time in the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown. He put a bow on the night with a third touchdown on a 4-yard pass to rookie FB Riley Nowakowski.

Playing with the first team, second-round wide receiver Germie Bernard also showed off his yards after catch ability with a 25-yard catch-and-run in the first half. Defensively, sixth-round defensive endGabriel Rubio stood out with six tackles.--Brooke Pryor

Next game: vs.New York Jets(Aug. 21, 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network)

Packers:Rookie second-round pick Brandon Cisse looks comfortable as a starting cornerback. New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon isn't afraid to blitz. And veteran free agent receiver Skyy Moore looks like an upgrade as a punt returner (and might also be able to help on offense). But perhaps more importantly, after some shaky practices, rookie kicker Trey Smack came through in a big way in this game. Officially, Smack made field goals of 37, 58 and 38 yards. He also nailed another 58-yarder, but a Steelers penalty gave the Packers a first down, so coach Matt LaFleur took the points off the board. First-year QB Kyle McCord (12-for-14, 102 yards) had a strong showing.--Rob Demovsky

Next game: atDenver Broncos(Aug. 21, 9 p.m. ET, NFL Network)

Bengals 16, Lions 14

Bengals:Of all the newcomers who played in the preseason opener, a couple of rookies had very bright moments. DE Cashius Howell, the team's second-round pick, took advantage of a slick ball and recovered a fumble on a botched handoff. And WR Colbie Young, the team's fourth-round selection, had a couple of nice catches in the first half against the Lions. Howell has had a strong camp and had one QB pressure in his nine snaps Thursday, per NFL Next Gen Stats. --Ben Baby

Next game: vs.Chicago Bears(Aug. 22, 7 p.m. ET)

Lions:After the sudden retirement of veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater during training camp, all eyes turned to rookie Luke Altmyer, who got the start in his preseason debut.

Altmyer, an undrafted free agent out of Illinois, went 13-for-21 for 130 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in a solid performance.

The Lions also signed backup QB Joshua Dobbs to a one-year deal earlier this week, in the wake of Bridgewater's retirement, as the backup returns for a second stint in Detroit. Dobbs entered the game in the second quarter, splitting snaps with Altmyer in the first half, and ended with 32 passing yards. He completed 4 of 8 attempts as the two compete for the QB2 spot behind Jared Goff.

Blake Miller, the 17th pick of the draft, also made his debut, starting at right tackle, where he got off to a strong start this preseason. --Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs.Washington Commanders(Aug. 22, 12 p.m. ET)

Patriots 13, Colts 13

Patriots:Seventh-round RB Jam Miller (Alabama) was the rookie headliner, which was timely as the competition for the team's No. 3 running back took an unexpected twist when the Patriots placed leading candidate Terrell Jennings on injured reserve before the game. The 5-foot-10, 209-pound Miller started and ran hard, totaling 55 yards on 14 carries (3.9 YPC) and now might have the inside track on the RB3 role. Elsewhere, first-round pick Caleb Lomu started at right tackle and was called for a borderline ineligible man downfield penalty that negated a big play.--Mike Reiss

Next game: vs.Philadelphia Eagles(Aug. 22, 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network)

Colts:Rookie linebacker Bryce Boettcher (three tackles) made an obvious impact in his first pro action, showing he can handle responsibilities while still bringing the physicality he has displayed throughout camp. The fourth-round pick's continued development is a great sign for a linebacking corps with many questions.

Fifth-round pick George Gumbs Jr. had two tackles and a sack as he continues his bid to carve out a role in the defensive end rotation. Caden Curry, another rookie pass rusher, had a sack on an impressive inside move, a team-high five tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass deflections as he makes a bid for a roster spot.

Finally, third-round selectionA.J. Haulcy played fast from his safety position, showing versatility in playing the single-high role and at strong safety in the tackle box.--Stephen Holder

Next game: vs.Atlanta Falcons(Aug. 22, 7 p.m. ET)

Chargers 27, Texans 7

Chargers: Rookie left guard Jake Slaughter fared well, picking up a stunt during his time at left guard and looking comfortable under pressure. First-round edge rusher Akheem Mesidor didn't flash much, playing only eight snaps. Undrafted rookie Nadame Tucker led the outside linebacker group with two pressures, showing the pass-rush ability that's flashed throughout training camp. Wide receiver Brenen Thompson was mostly quiet but finished with two catches for 30 yards.

Overall, it was a solid opening night for the Chargers' rookies, with Slaughter delivering the most impressive performance. --Kris Rhim

Next game: vs.San Francisco 49ers(Aug. 20, 10 p.m. ET)

Texans:Rookie center Keylan Rutledgeplayed only one drive, which speaks to the first-rounder's standing as a starter. The drive ended with a touchdown throw from quarterback Davis Mills to wideout Jared Wayne. During the possession, Mills found rookie tight end Marlin Klein on a seam route for a 31-yard reception. Klein also was limited to one possession, revealing Houston is pleased with both of their performances throughout camp. Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald quickly displayed what made him valuable in college by producing a run stuff during his 21 plays of action. Overall, a solid outing for the Texans' 2026 rookie class.--DJ Bien-Aime

Next game: vs.Las Vegas Raiders(Aug. 20, 8 p.m. ET)

Titans 19, 49ers 13

Titans: First-round picks Carnell Tate and Keldric Faulk got the start against the 49ers. Tate was targeted twice, and both fell incomplete. Faulk started because veteran defensive lineman Jacob Martin (knee) was inactive. Faulk played into the third quarter and got a couple of pressures, one of which came via a spin move he had been working on with assistant defensive line coach Tanzel Smart before practice. Fifth-round pick Fernando Carmona took a big step towards securing the right guard spot. Carmona started the game after working with the first team over the past three practices. Free-agent cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott didn't impress. Taylor gave up a 17-yard catch on third down but it was called back due to a holding call. Flott got beaten by rookie De'Zhaun Stribbling for a 34-yard gain and was flagged for pass interference on running back Patrick Taylor Jr. that set up a 49ers touchdown.--Turron Davenport

Next game: atSeahawks(Aug. 23, 8 p.m. ET)

Steelers:Second-round receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has been one of the stars of 49ers training camp and that translated into his first preseason game. Stribling played the first three series, all going against starting Titans defensive backs, and posted seven catches for 62 yards before calling it a night. That included an impressive over-the-shoulder grab for 32 yards and an 11-yard catch and run for a first down to set up San Francisco's first touchdown. Rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton also built on his strong camp, getting past Titans guard Peter Skoronski for a sack (that was called back for defensive holding elsewhere) and a run stop. Stribling and Halton have made strong cases for roles right away and only bolstered them Thursday night.--Nick Wagoner

Next game: atChargers(Aug. 20, 10 p.m. ET)