The next phase of the NFL offseason is officially in full swing. With all 32 teams in training camp, the news continues to flood in leading up to the first full week of preseason action.

Action began on Thursday night with five games and continues on Friday night with three more.

The Denver Broncos will face the Atlanta Falcons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take on the New York Jets, and the Miami Dolphins will go on the road against the Washington Commanders.

This will be the first look we get at Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa in game action since he signed a one-year, minimum deal after his release from the Dolphins this offseason.

The Buccaneers and Jets will both be without their starting quarterbacks as Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith have been ruled out. New York will start fourth-round rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik for his NFL debut.

Miami will start Malik Willis under center, giving Dolphins fans a look at their hopeful franchise quarterback for the next few seasons. Washington is not starting quarterback Jayden Daniels or wide receivers Terry McLaurin or Stefon Diggs. The Commanders will start backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Off the field, the biggest story of the weekend so far is that cornerback Terrion Arnold is expected to sign with the Seattle Seahawks while facing felony charges of kidnapping and armed robbery, according to multiple reports.

NFL preseason schedule: Friday, Aug. 14

• Broncos vs. Falcons, 7 pm. ET on ESPN

• Buccaneers vs. Jets, 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network

• Dolphins vs. Commanders, 7 p.m. ET on NFL+

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news as the preseason kicks off.

Sean Payton is heading into his fourth season with the Denver Broncos, but evidently still harbors animosity for the Atlanta Falcons.

Payton made that clear when he took a shot at Falcons fans during a halftime interview of Denver's sparsely attended preseason Week 1 matchup against Atlanta.

"There's a lot of people dressed up as empty seats today," Payton said with a laugh, while looking around the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

FALCONS-BRONCOS TAKEAWAYS: Tua Tagovailoa's debut dud, fullbacks matter

The 2026 season officially kicks off for the Denver Broncos with their first preseason game being on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. Starters will play 10-15 snaps, but no Bo Nix. He’ll make his 2026 debut next week. There is plenty of position competition happening across the roster, so these games should give fans a good look at who might have the upper hand heading into the final weeks of training camp.

Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. Mile High time on Friday, August 14, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. You can also check local Broncos radio network affiliate stations. Join the discussion in the comments section below.

Broncos at Falcons live updates

Malik Willis was on point in his Miami Dolphins debut.

Arguably the most intriguing quarterback signing of the offseason, Willis was nearly perfect in one series of work Friday night against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium, leading Miami on a 16-play, 91-yard touchdown drive in his first outing as a Dolphin.

Willis completed 4 of 5 passes for 43 yards and ran twice for 9 yards. He should have been perfect passing, too, delivering a pretty strike to Caleb Douglas for what should have been at least a 23-yard catch, but the rookie receiver accidentally stepped out of bounds before completing the grab.

No matter. A few plays later, Willis and Douglas — a third-round pick who has started to make some noise — hooked up on a pretty 28-yard completion.

Six plays later the Dolphins were in the end zone, and Willis' night was done, giving way to Quinn Ewers, who finished last season as Miami's starter.

It was a clean first outing for Willis. Dolphins fans only saw a sliver of what they'll show this season, but Willis looked cool and in-command in the new offense — a great look for first-year head coach Jeff Hafley and a brand-new operation, top to bottom.

Replacing Tua Tagovailoa won't be easy, and Willis will enter Week 1 with only six regular-season starts to his name. Friday didn't change much in the big picture, but it was an auspicious debut for a team hoping Willis can take advantage of his new opportunity. 

Bisontis suffered the injury in the Cardinals' preseason game against the Raiders on Thursday, going down after an awkward collision. Bisontis had to be carted off the field and taken to the locker room.

Bisontis will reportedly undergo surgery next week, and is expected to miss significant time — possibly the whole season. However, the MCL is reportedly the only thing that needs to be repaired, meaning that Bisontis' ACL and meniscus are still intact; he is expected to make a full recovery.

After the game, a 27-14 win, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur told reporters that the injury was "not good," though they would need to run more tests to determine the severity of the injury.

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Bisontis, 22, was selected by Arizona in the second round of the 2026 draft, with the Cardinals taking him with the 34th overall pick. Bisontis entered the draft after three seasons at Texas A&M.

Prior to the injury, Bisontis had shown promise as a potential right guard, competing with third-year guard Isaiah Adams for the starting position.

RENTON, Wash. — DeMarcus Lawrence debated carefully whether to return for the 2026 NFL season.

In his 12th year, the Seattle Seahawks edge rusher had stayed healthy enough to play every game, forced six fumbles between the regular season and playoffs, and won a Super Bowl.

"I'm doing everything that a player can wish for," Lawrence thought to himself. 

But he also has six children including a newborn and his wife, Sasha, living in Dallas where Lawrence played his first 11 NFL seasons.

He missed the birth of his now 12-year-old son when Sasha went into labor while Lawrence was at rookie minicamp, and the flights couldn't get him back to where they lived in Boise while Lawrence played at Boise State.

Sasha Lawrence delivered their latest daughter less than 24 hours after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl. The Lawrence family had made arrangements for Sasha's obstetrician to join the trip to Santa Clara, California, to ensure that at 37 weeks pregnant, she could both attend and not risk going into labor without the medical team who had supported her pregnancy.

So as this season neared, Lawrence spoke to players who had faced similar decisions in the twilights of their careers. He considered his wish to be with his family without uprooting them, while also recognizing his talent and health positioned the pass rusher and run stopper to thrive contributing to the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Was it time to hang it up? Not yet. But soon.

"This will be my last year," Lawrence told Yahoo Sports during a sit-down interview from training camp. "Through the grace of God, I'm able to play another year and soak it all up one more good time before I hang it up."

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Since the Cowboys selected Lawrence in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Lawrence has collected 67.5 sacks, 503 tackles, 146 quarterback hits, 24 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries in the regular season.

He's added another five sacks and four forced fumbles in strong playoff performances. He now has photo documentation of his family of eight with the Lombardi Trophy.

Lawrence left the Cowboys for Seattle in free agency in March 2025, signing a three-year deal worth up to $32.5 million during the March 2025 season. All of his guaranteed salary comes in 2025 and 2026, per overthecap.com. He generated headlines then for saying Dallas is home but "I know for sure I'm not going to win a Super Bowl there," which backlash from edge rusher Micah Parsons. (The Cowboys have since traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.)

Lawrence's words seemed prescient when Seattle outlasted the New England Patriots in February. But he downplayed his comments in the days leading up to the big game.

"I [saw] Dallas was going through a transition letting go of some of their older players starting to try to rebuild, and I understood that but I also understood for me that my window of opportunity of playing football was closing," Lawrence said Super Bowl week. "So that's truly what I meant by that statement is, I won't win in Dallas because my window of opportunity is closing. I only have a couple of years, three, four, how many ever the Lord blessed me with."

Injuries hampered two of Lawrence's last four seasons in Dallas, but at 33 years old last year he played all 20 of the Seahawks' games. Among his highlights: two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns.

"I had my ups and downs throughout the years, but I feel like the training staff did a great job," Lawrence said of his availability last year. "My coach off the field helped me out a lot with stretching and maintaining my strength, stability and my ligaments and stuff like that. So just making sure I have the right people around me and also the culture, but also staying up on the diet and the nutrition."

In Seattle, he's eaten more fish and made sure "I'm up on my Omega-3s." The newfound spring of health kept the urge to play alive.

"It was a tough process," Lawrence said. "Just trying to enjoy the offseason, enjoy the Super Bowl victory, but also battle with, 'Are you done for real? Is this it? Or do you want more? Do you want to go out on top?' Just battling with all those questions. And I think the one thing that I battled with the hardest is, 'Well, if I do go [back to Seattle], my family's not going with me.'

"So going through all those dynamics and how can I set it up to see the family as often as I can and the whole nine. I think that was the toughest part. … This is something that we dreamed of, but when we get in and it's like, 'Oh snap, I didn't know it lasted this long, the sacrifice that I have to put up in order to do this job that I love.'"

NFL players often wrestle toward the end of their careers with their post-playing career identities. What will occupy the bulk of their time from August to December (or for the Seahawks, now February) after they hang it up? Most careers don't phase employees out by their mid-30s. Entering his 13th pro campaign, Lawrence has already quadrupled what's considered the average lifespan of an NFL player's career.

"One thing that stuck out to me of those conversations was, 'The regular world doesn't think like you do,'" Lawrence said of his conversations with former players who had retired. "And that kind of scared me a little. It's like, OK, so how do I move amongst a group of people that think differently than me or can't see things from my lens? That's kind of intimidating. Not that I'm afraid or anything. It's just more of like, 'How can I be DeMarcus Lawrence in an environment that doesn't accept who DeMarcus Lawrence really is?' And I feel like when things are not figured out on that end, it kind of gives you that intimidation. … 

"So just battling that and then understanding who I am, what my interests are, the things that I like to do off the field and not trying to rush anything. I'm still playing good football. Even though it's Year 13, I don't think people care about how long you play no more as long as you're playing good. That's what matters the most. So I'm able to still play good football. I ain't think it was time to hang it up yet. 

"I'm back again."

The player who once collected 25 sacks in two seasons and yet is perhaps even more respected across the league for his tough-nosed run stoppage is back to help the Seahawks chase a repeat championship and repeat of their 2025 top-ranked scoring defense.

Seattle lost key contributors in free agency including cornerback Coby Bryant (Chicago Bears), cornerback Riq Woolen (Philadelphia Eagles), edge rusher Boye Mafe (Cincinnati Bengals) and running back Kenneth Walker III (Kansas City Chiefs). All started at least four games last season.

Expect Seattle's defense to evolve in a league that requires that to stay competitive, but don't expect Lawrence's responsibilities to change much in his last year.

"Set the edge, win your one-on-ones and attack the ball," Lawrence said. "Still go hunt."

American football is back in the Meadowlands.

Painted white lines, field goal posts and more were on the stage for the first time in a long time after the 2026 FIFA World Cup dominated the summer scene at MetLife Stadium. On Aug. 14, the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers treated fans – and plenty of gray stadium seats – to the traditional type of football on U.S. soil.

And the teams had different ideas about how to approach the preseason opener.

The Jets elected to play the starters to open things up, while the Bucs decided that protecting key pieces like Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving and others was more important.

However, the Jets were also dealt a blow during the countdown to kickoff, when it was revealed that Geno Smith would sit out with a sore foot. Instead of a homecoming for Smith, it turned into a pro debut for Cade Klubnik – the rookie out of Clemson.

Neither side was going to announce themselves as Super Bowl contenders in Week 1 of the preseason. That doesn't mean that we didn't learn a few things, however.

Here are some takeaways and instant analysis from the first half of the Jets and Bucs preseason contest.

The Falcons are taking on the Broncos tonight in the first preseason action of the 2026 season for both teams. Follow along with Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic as they discuss the game live through all four quarters. We’ll have takes on Atlanta’s starters, how the rookie class is performing, and a whole lot more. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

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The Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos are kickstarting their preseasons on Friday, Aug. 14, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The contest marked a pivotal moment for Tua Tagovailoa. The veteran quarterback was granted an opportunity to stake his claim to the Falcons' starting job as his counterpart, Michael Penix Jr., remains out of the lineup as he continues to recover from a torn ACL he suffered midway through last season.

Tagovailoa didn't play much in his Falcons debut, which was expected. First-year coach Kevin Stefanski only let the former Miami Dolphins starter play two series in his first action with the Falcons.

The results? Tagovailoa failed to lead the Falcons to any points and only logged one first down across his limited action.

Of course, Tagovailoa was far from the only notable player on display in Friday's game. The Broncos gave most of their starters action and gave fans a first look at how Davis Webb's offense might operate in his first year as the team's offensive coordinator.

Here's a breakdown of all the notable action from the Falcons vs. Broncos preseason game.

Tua Tagovailoa's Falcons preseason debut Friday showed that he and the rest of Atlanta's offense have some work to do.

Granted, it was a brief outing, with Tagovailoa playing only two series with the starters in Atlanta against the Denver Broncos, and it wasn't the full lineup. Running back Bijan Robinson and right tackle Jawaan Taylor both sat out, and Drake London played only a few snaps.

But even against a good Denver defense that fielded some of its starting unit, the Falcons showed little of the firepower they're hoping for in the regular season, with their three main playmakers back.

On Tagovailoa's first series, the Falcons went three-and-out. He dropped a shotgun snap that hit him squarely in the hands, leading to a sack, and Atlanta punted one play later. 

The second series wasn't much better. The Broncos were getting pressure often, with Tagovailoa having to throw multiple passes away. He was hit hard on third down, which might have led head coach Kevin Stefanski to say no mas.

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Tagovailoa finished his outing 3-for-5 passing for 22 yards. He targeted tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. on four of his five passes, often under duress. 

With Michael Penix Jr. still out with injury, Cooper Rush replaced Tagovailoa and promptly was picked on his second pass attempt of the game.

It's hard to judge the Falcons' offensive performance in a vacuum Friday. The biggest eyesore was the pressure the offensive line surrendered, with Michael Jerrell replacing Taylor. The blocking wasn't great.

They'll want to get that ironed out before the next preseason game, and certainly prior to Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tagovailoa needs all the clean pockets he can get if he wants to fend off Penix this whole season.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald spoke about the team’s controversial decision to sign former Detroit Lions first-round pick Terrion Arnold, who is facing several felony charges in Florida.

Following Friday’s practice for their preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Macdonald was asked several questions about the decision, from how they view him as a player to his fit in the culture. Macdonald declined to comment on anything regarding Arnold’s current legal proceedings, saying the team would allow the league and court processes to play out.

“I think it was an opportunity to bring on a player that we felt strongly about during the draft process,” Macdonald told the media. ‘We also understand that it’s a serious situation with a legal matter. There’s a process behind it, so we respect that. That’s how we’ll operate too, just letting that process play out and let the league decide if and when his return to play is.”

Seattle hosted the former Alabama star for a tryout on Sunday, which Macdonald described as “great.” Macdonald said that he spoke to several people, whom he respects, about Arnold, and they supported him as a person. He added that he had informal one-on-one conversations with players prior to signing the former first-round pick and that he was confident in the team’s locker room and team.

“I referenced the folks that had been in his corner throughout the process as well and we respect those people. We’re not going to ignore those folks that we really respect, and have a strong opinion about it as well,” Macdonald said. “When you put all of those things together, it felt like it was a good opportunity for the team.”

While the team has agreed to terms with Arnold, Macdonald said the Seahawks are still working through a timeline for him to join the team, meaning he won’t be suiting up for the Seahawks in their preseason opener on Saturday night. Additionally, the NFL has the option to place Arnold on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which would bar him from playing any regular season games.

“All I know is that there’s an availability, if the league lets it happen, that he could play. In terms of when that happens and how that goes down, it’s just part of that process,” Macdonald said. “The facts of the case, all those things about the comments of what happens, that’s not our responsibility to have a comment on that nor can we. I think we just have to understand that there’s a process at play, and we’re going to let it play out.”

When asked about Arnold as a player, Macdonald lauded Arnold’s physicality and speed, saying that his skill set fits the identity of the secondary. The Seahawks head coach said Arnold is used to some of the pattern matching that the Seahawks do from his time at Alabama and that he believes there’s a spot for him if he becomes the best version of himself.

“We want players to come in and be the best version of themselves,” Macdonald said. “We believe that if you do that, then the team’s going to be better for it as well. Terrion [Arnold] will be the same process with him if or when he gets here.”

The signing is meant to bolster a Seahawks cornerback group that lost Riq Woolen this offseason and is set to rely on inexperienced players, like Nehemiah Pritchett and rookies Julian Neal and Michael Dansby, to fill the role.

Since a lot of us are excited about football coming back, let’s use this as a general thread to talk about the football team coming off last night’s preseason opener. How are you feeling about the team? Better? Worse? Not much change? Let us know in the comments section.

Here are a couple of posts where I laid out my recent thoughts on the team:

• I generally thought the Packers’ first- through third-team units played fine in the game, but the fourth-string defense, in particular, looked poor. But, hey, kicker Trey Smack had a hell of a night.
• I made a couple of adjustments to my 53-man roster projection, with the team keeping seven receivers and just nine defensive backs. I also have defensive lineman Jonathan Ford in over Nazir Stackhouse and offensive lineman Travis Glover not making the cut for OL10.
• Defensive lineman Anthony Campbell and offensive lineman Darian Kinnard did not suffer long-term injuries against the Steelers, but projected starting left guard Aaron Banks may not be returning to a starting role. Head coach Matt LaFleur was coy when asked whether Banks had surgery to his knee.
• Here’s a bunch of clips/screenshots from the game that I found interesting when I rewatched the broadcast copy.
• If you want to watch the condensed version of the broadcast, you can find that here.
• Here are the Packers’ full snap counts, sorted by position.

Veteran Marcus Mariota got the opportunity to start the Washington Commanders' first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins after coach Dan Quinn opted to sit the normal starter, Jayden Daniels.

Mariota didn't last long in the game, exiting the contest after four offensive snaps after suffering an apparent injury.

Mariota's injury occurred after he handed the ball to rookie running back Kaytron Allen on a first-and-10 from the Miami 47-yard line. The 32-year-old quarterback immediately came up lame despite not being touched on the play.

Mariota was met by athletic trainers on the field before eventually exiting the game. He was replaced by Sam Hartman and later was spotted walking gingerly to the locker room along with a member of the training staff.

The Buffalo Bills have a sudden need along the interior of their defensive line following news that defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis will be suspended for the first three games of the 2026 NFL season. It remains to be seen how new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will tackle that concern, given that Mathis was one of the team’s clear-cut answers as a one-tech option.

A report by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network on Friday, August 14 ahead of the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets has revealed that the Bills are among a group of three teams to have checked in with Tampa Bay’s front office about defensive tackle Vita Vea, and his availability as it relates to a potential trade.

Garafolo reported that “(Vea’s) upset that he’s entering the final year of his deal, set to make around $18 million dollars this upcoming season with the top of the defensive tackle market now at $38 million, and a few other guys that he feels his production is comparable with also getting deals in the $30-plus-million-dollar range,” adding that he won’t wear the Buccaneers’ jersey and “it’s clear Vea is upset.” As for Vea’s productive tenure with Tampa Bay, Garafolo noted that the defensive tackle and some of his teammates reposted a social media share highlighting key stats while claiming “yeah, this is the point we’re trying to make.”

Earlier this summer, the 31-year-old Vea had asked the Buccaneers for a trade, but the team has been unwilling to meet his request. To this point in the offseason, Vea hasn’t practiced with the team and he won’t play in their first preseason game.

Despite the Bucs’ reticence to trade Vea and Garafolo stating his understanding that “there has been communication between the sides,” it remains true that “a deal is not imminent, teams have called the Buccaneers to see if they’re interested in trading (with) them. Garafolo then added that ”amongst them, I’m told is the Bills, the Bears, the 49ers, and there are a few others as well. But the Buccaneers continue to say, internally, they are not trading Vita Vea.

While many have agreed that it’s unlikely Vea gets traded, ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter isn’t among that group, which could open the door for Buffalo’s decision makers to meaningfully try and get something done. Chris Trapasso even wrote about a group of players who could find themselves part of a trade this August.

It is Day 30 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff. We are looking back at the 100 most iconic games in Dallas Cowboys history. The countdown will leads us right up to the opening game of 2026. Our look back doesn’t depend on just one criteria for our rankings. We take into consideration things like how big the game was for the organization, how memorable the game was, games that had unusual events take place, games that are a part of NFL lore, Cowboys firsts, and games where the Cowboys just plain dominated. Variety is the spice of life and we have all different kind of Cowboys games to review. At the bottom, we’ll link each day of the countdown so you can go back and check out any you missed.

Welcome in for Day 30 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff, when we revisit the playoff victory that sent the Cowboys one step closer to the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Dallas travelled to face a Minnesota team that had won eight straight games to close the regular season, but Tom Landry’s veteran squad looked to deliver one of its most complete defensive performances.

Saturday, December 25, 1971

Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 20, Minnesota Vikings 12

The Vikings entered the postseason with plenty of momentum, led by quarterback Gary Cuozzo, a physical rushing attack and the famous Purple People Eaters defense. Minnesota looked like a legitimate championship contender and Dallas had spent years falling just short in the playoffs, but arrived determined to prove it could finally finish the job.

Dallas’s first opportunity came when Larry Cole forced Dave Osborn to fumble, which Jethro Pugh recovered at the Minnesota 36-yard line. Roger Staubach then completed an 18-yard pass to Bob Hayes, but Page’s third-down sack halted the drive. Mike Clark kicked a 26-yard field goal, but Fred Cox responded with a 27-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3. 

Chuck Howley intercepted Bob Lee, returning the ball 26 yards into Minnesota territory and giving the Cowboys the lead. Despite failing to score, Clark converted a 44-yard field goal for a 6-3 halftime advantage. However, Minnesota squandered excellent field position after Clint Jones’ 61-yard kickoff return, with three incompletions followed by Cox missing a 41-yard field goal. 

The decisive separation arrived immediately after halftime. Cliff Harris intercepted Lee and returned the ball 30 yards to the Minnesota 13-yard line. Duane Thomas scored on the next play, giving Dallas a 13-3 lead without requiring the offense to manufacture a long drive against Minnesota’s defensive front.

Dallas’s best sustained possession of the second half came later. Charlie Waters returned a punt 24 yards, setting up Staubach’s third-and-15 conversion. Staubach completed a 30-yard pass to Lance Alworth, and Hayes grabbed a nine-yard touchdown to extend the Cowboys’ lead to 20-3. 

Minnesota’s danger continued into the fourth quarter. Page sacked Staubach in the end zone for a safety, and Gary Cuozzo replaced Lee after the free kick. Cuozzo moved the Vikings deep into Dallas territory, but Lee Roy Jordan intercepted him at the 10-yard line, preventing a comeback before it could gain momentum.

Cuozzo eventually connected with Stu Voigt for a six-yard touchdown with a little more than two minutes remaining, reducing the margin to 20-12. The late score made the finish appear closer, but Dallas recovered the onside kick and protected the lead.

This game belongs on the countdown because it showed the adaptability of the team that would finally win the championship. Dallas could not overwhelm the Purple People Eaters with yardage, so it relied on field position, ball security and its own opportunistic defense. The Cowboys played patiently, punished Minnesota’s errors and created enough separation before the Vikings’ late rally.

Interesting Facts About the Game

The Cowboys held Minnesota to only one field goal through the first three quarters and never allowed the Vikings offense to settle into the game. 

Countdown to kickoff 

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Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills head into their preseason debut on Saturday afternoon as a 2.5-point favorite against the Carolina Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at the brand new Highmark Stadium. 

With Allen and numerous other starters expected to play, my Panthers vs Bills predictions are backing one of the AFC's top teams to cover. 

Read more in my NFL picks for Saturday, August 15. 

Panthers vs Bills predictions

Pick	Probability
Bills -2.5	47%
Under 38.5	50%

Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.

 TOP PICK

Who will win Panthers vs Bills: Bills -2.5

Kalshi probability: 47%

New Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady announced that if a starter is healthy, he’ll get playing time in preseason Week 1. Josh Allen is the obvious headliner, and this will be his first preseason appearance in two years. He's also coming off another fantastic campaign.

Allen also gets a favorable opening matchup against a Carolina Panthers defense that was very average in 2025. There is no shortage of weapons at his disposal, either. James Cook led the NFL in rushing yards last season, while Joshua Palmer, Mecole Hardman, Keon Coleman, and rookie Skyler Bell all give Buffalo playmaking options.

With Allen and the starters expected to get reps in the first game at the new stadium, the Bills get the cleaner preseason setup.

 TOP PICK
Panthers vs Bills Over/Under pick: Under 38.5 

Kalshi probability: 50%

This total sits at 38.5, and I’m leaning Under. Bryce Young is expected to play only 10-20 snaps before Kenny Pickett takes over, according to head coach Dave Canales, so Carolina’s starting offense likely won’t get a full runway.

The Panthers will also be without Chuba Hubbard due to injury, leaving Trevor Etienne and Jonathon Brooks to handle most of the backfield work. Buffalo’s starters are expected to play, but I don’t anticipate Allen and the first-team offense staying on the field long, either.

With both teams likely turning to backups early, sustained scoring drives may be harder to come by.

Panthers vs Bills live odds

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Panthers vs Bills weather

Weather at Highmark Stadium looks excellent for Saturday afternoon, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 80–82°F during the game. Winds are extremely light at roughly 2 mph, and rain chances sit at 0% throughout the early afternoon.

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Drew Allar’s first NFL preseason appearance provided the Pittsburgh Steelers with plenty of reasons to be encouraged about the future of their quarterback position.

The rookie third-round pick looked poised and decisive in his debut Thursday night, helping lead the Steelers to a 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers, completing 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score, finishing with a 154.8 passer rating.

But perhaps just as encouraging for Pittsburgh is the progress Allar has made away from the stat sheet.

Rookie tight end/fullback Riley Nowakowski, who caught a touchdown pass from Allar in the preseason opener, has noticed a significant change in the young quarterback’s presence since he first arrived in Pittsburgh.

“You’ve seen his confidence skyrocket,” Nowakowski said. “I think he does such a good job of commanding the huddle compared to when he came in. You can even hear it in his cadence. He’s really been using his cadence as a weapon and just being able to really have us feel like, ‘Oh, shoot, this guy’s got control of our offense.”

Allar showed accuracy, arm strength and athleticism against Green Bay. He connected with Kaden Wetjen on a 75-yard completion that set up his rushing touchdown before later finding Wetjen for another score. He also threw a touchdown to Nowakowski, helping turn three of his drives into touchdowns.

The performance came after a training camp in which Allar had already been drawing praise from head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coaches for his poise, ability to absorb information and willingness to respond to coaching.

Still, the Steelers aren’t rushing to make conclusions based on one preseason performance. Aaron Rodgers remains Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, while Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are also competing for roles in a crowded quarterback room.

What makes Allar’s development especially interesting, however, is that the Steelers aren’t simply evaluating his physical ability. They are watching for the traits that could eventually allow him to take control of the franchise.

According to Nowakowski, that process is already underway.

Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!

• The Morning After: Writing is on the wall for Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson
• Drew Allar shines with 3 total TDs in Steelers’ 28-9 win over Packers
• Steelers exploring trade market for defensive back help
• Steelers’ signing of Elandon Roberts leaves veteran on chopping block
• Aaron Rodgers ‘bummed out’ Steelers won’t play Packers at Lambeau Field

The Bears are one of a few NFL teams who have called the Buccaneers regarding the trade availability of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Friday. It’s worth noting that Garafolo said the Buccaneers still plan on keeping Vea, though the Bears are one of the confirmed teams to have checked in on his availability.

Vea, 31, recently requested a trade in the midst of his contract negotiations with Tampa Bay. The two-time Pro Bowler is currently in the final year of his four-year, $71 million contract he signed in 2022.

A first-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2018, Vea is coming off a season in which he posted a 78.6 PFN DT Impact Score, ranking No. 25 among 107 qualified defensive tackles in the metric. For reference, the only Bears defensive tackle to finish with a top-50 score in 2025 was Gervon Dexter. Vea finished the season with 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits.

The Bears have a well-documented need along their defensive line, and they were relatively quiet in their additions to the group, with the only ones of note being Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and sixth-round draft pick Jordan van den Berg. None of the three project as starters for Chicago’s defense come Week 1.

Though Vea doesn’t fit the typical mold of a Dennis Allen defensive tackle, the 347-pounder is a tremendous pass rusher for a nose tackle and has been an impact defender for much of his time in the NFL.

Todd Monken makes his debut as the Cleveland Browns' head coach when he leads his team onto Soldier Field in Chicago against the Chicago Bears on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network).

With Monken planning to play his starters, including QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland is a 3.5-point favorite. But my Browns vs. Bears predictions and NFL picks expect Tyson Bagent to keep Chicago in it during a rainy day in the Windy City. 

Browns vs Bears predictions

Pick	Probabillity
Bears +3.5	53%
Over 40.5	50%

Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.

 TOP PICK

Who will win Browns vs Bears: Bears +3.5 

Kalshi probability: 53%

Although the Cleveland Browns are playing their starters against the Chicago Bears, Monken has implied that it may not be for more than a series. So while the Bears won't be playing any key starters, Cleveland doesn't have a clear advantage by giving its top veterans less than a quarter of work.

And at this point, Deshaun Watson isn't a QB worth believing in, even in the preseason. Monken said the former Pro Bowler will play the first half, but this will be his first action since 2024, when he tore and re-ruptured his Achilles. And he's been unplayable in Cleveland, with nearly as many turnover-worthy plays (18) as TD passes (19).

Meanwhile, the Bears' backup, Tyson Bagent, has been a preseason star in Chicago. The Bears are 6-0-1 over his last seven preseason games, and he's thrown for 718 yards with eight total touchdowns.

The Bears boast an interesting mix of talent around Bagent, too, including Scotty Miller, Zavion Thomas, and Roschon Johnson. That should help him put pressure on the Browns' second- and third-string defense that includes plenty of undrafted rookies.

Browns vs Bears Over/Under pick: Over 40.5 

Kalshi probability: 50%

Ben Johnson didn't mess around on offense last preseason, with the Bears going 2-0-1 in his first preseason as head coach and averaging 30.3 points per game. And that was with Bagent playing the bulk of the QB snaps. 

On their home field with playmakers around Bagent, Chicago should be able to put up points on a Browns team that could have as many as four undrafted rookies in the secondary during the second half.

But the Browns have some real offensive talent to flex, especially at wide receiver. Rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston might play significant first-half snaps with Watson at QB, and those two are capable of exploiting a banged-up Bears secondary.

Monken also has interesting depth at QB and receiver for the second half of the game, too. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel both have starting experience, and rookie QB Taylen Green is dynamic with 4.36 speed.

Browns vs Bears live odds

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Browns vs Bears weather

The weather could play a major role in the matchup, with a 40% chance of precipitation at kickoff and potential thunderstorms around halftime. Soldier Field is a natural-grass field, and damp conditions could impact footing, especially for defenders.

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Browns vs Bears latest injuries

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The San Francisco 49ers elected to not play any starters in their first preseason matchup against the Tennessee Titans, but that could change in Week 2.

Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said he believed his first stringers looked good in a Wednesday joint practice with Tennessee, so he decided to keep them out and see what else the team is working with.

"If we didn't feel we got that work in, probably would have changed my mind. But was real happy with the work that we got that day," Shanahan said to reporters following the 49ers' Week 1 preseason loss to the Titans on Aug. 13. "The vets, the guys who didn't dress today, got a workout in yesterday. They got to work out with the coaches today, just routes on air and things like that. So they've gotten some work in, but it'll be good to have them fresh for Saturday, too."

The San Francisco 49ers depth chart is yet to be finalized but it is rounding out. Here's the Niners' current depth chart:

Vikings vs Giants predictions

Pick	Probabillity
Vikings moneyline	54%
Over 41.5	50%

Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.

 TOP PICK

Who will win Vikings vs Giants: Vikings moneyline

Kalshi probability: 54%

 TOP PICK
Vikings vs Giants Over/Under pick: Over 41.5 

Kalshi probability: 50%

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Vikings vs Giants weather

It’s expected to be 80-82 degrees at kickoff with a slight chance of rain.

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The Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff, including coordinators and assistants, spoke to the media on Friday following the Packers’ 28-9 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game was an odd one: Green Bay held the lead with their third-string units (even though it was a bit of a rock match), but when the fourth-string defense entered, they gave up three straight touchdowns to end the game.

So what did the Packers’ staff have to say about the performance? Here’s what we got on Friday.

First of all, head coach Matt LaFleur said there were no long-term injuries sustained in the game, a great sign. Honestly, that’s probably what fans were hoping the most for going into Thursday’s action.

This means that defensive lineman Anthony Campbell and offensive lineman Darian Kinnard, the two players who dropped out of play and did not later return to the field, should be good to go in the near future. That’s big, considering that Kinnard is projected to make the 53-man roster and Campbell is on the roster bubble right now, fighting for the sixth defensive line spot with Jonathan Ford and Nazir Stackhouse.

When rookie guard Jager Burton, who started at left guard with Aaron Banks and Zach Bako-Bewele out of the starting lineup yesterday, was brought up, LaFleur mentioned that Burton and Jacob Monk, who started at right guard, are making it “extremely difficult” for the team to simply hand the left guard job back to 2025 starter Aaron Banks once he’s healthy. Before this comment, it was assumed that the Packers’ preferred starting offensive line during the regular season would be Jordan Morgan, Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton and Bako-Bewele. Belton has started at right tackle as Bako-Bewele’s injury replacement, but maybe that’s just Green Bay’s attempt at getting their “best five” on the field, rather than where players will be lining up in the regular season.

When LaFleur was asked about whether or not Banks had surgery, he simply stated, “I’ll let him answer that,” leading to speculation online that Banks may have had surgery that the Packers did not approve of. Again, that’s just speculation as of now. Banks is dealing with an undisclosed knee injury, for what that’s worth.

The offensive line rotation might be even more interesting than we originally thought.

On the defensive side of the ball, there was universal praise for rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse and how he carries himself as a 21-year-old professional. New secondary coach/passing game coordinator Bobby Babich, who came to Green Bay after being the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator, stated plainly that there is a cornerback competition, but that returning starter Keisean Nixon has been taking coaching “great.” In all likelihood, Cisse, Carrington Valentine (who missed Week 1 of the preseason with a hamstring injury) and free agent signing Benjamin St-Juste are going to keep battling for the spot opposite Nixon up until (at least) Week 1 of the regular season.

DeMarcus Covington, who was previously the Packers’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator under Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 defense, has been promoted to the title of outside linebackers coach/run game coordinator/assistant head coach — defense under Jonathan Gannon’s new 3-4 defense. Covington said that edge defender Lukas Van Ness, who was involved in a sack in one of the three snaps that the defensive starters played on Thursday, is “one of our best players” when he’s healthy.

Defensive line coach Vince Oghobaase, who was Covington’s assistant defensive line coach under Hafley, also praised Campbell, who he said has recorded 10 to 12 batdowns at the line of scrimmage throughout camp.

Overall, the coaching staff seemed pretty happy with their top two units, while admitting that the team needed to work on tackling. Gannon said that this was just the second live tackling opportunity that the team has had, with the other one being the reserve units’ series on Family Night last week.

The long NFL offseason ends for the New York Jets tonight at 7:00 pm EDT. The Jets are at home in East Rutherford, New Jersey to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in both teams’ 2026 preseason opener.

NFL teams in recent years have increasingly held their starters out of preseason games in a bid to avoid injuries prior to the regular season. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has decided to go the opposite route this year, with the starters slated for about one half worth of snaps spread across the three preseason games. That means the starters will likely see just one or two drives per game before the backups start to fill in. Once the starters exit the game we get to watch a bunch of back of the roster type players play marginal NFL football while fighting for the final open roster spots. Tonight is a big night for the so-called bubble players.

The biggest thing for the two teams will be coming out of this game without any serious injuries, if fortune allows. For the bubble players, it’s an audition, not just for their respective teams, but for every team in the NFL. With the shortened preseason schedule there are few opportunities to put good things on tape for the rest of the league to see. Tonight is one of those opportunities. Players who don’t end up making it through final cuts have a chance here to showcase their skills for the entire league, which might earn them a shot with a different franchise down the road.

One thing to keep an eye on is the order of when players enter the game. This tends to correspond pretty closely to the team’s depth chart, so we get an early glimpse at who might be leading their positions in the battles for roster spots.

It’s the Jets and the Buccaneers in the first of three preseason games for both teams. Jets football is back!

Enjoy the game everybody.

Football! It’s almost real football.

We will see the starters only fleetingly tonight, and a few may well be out, but this evening will feature the Atlanta Falcons taking the field and playing a full game. Along the way, we’ll hope to see injury-free football with some impressive moments and some would-be reserves stepping up and having stellar games. There are a handful of starting jobs on the line and many more roster battles ongoing, so it’s no exaggeration to say that a big effort tonight could launch someone onto the 53 man roster or at least the practice squad.

As always, enjoy the game here with your fellow friends and use this as your open thread. Play hard and stay healthy, Falcons!

Welcome back to BTSC’s Friday night open thread:

1. The Steelers’ first preseason game is in the books. After around 24 hours, any new thoughts on the game/team? What stood out to you the most?
2. Now, the team’s second preseason game is on the horizon. Besides the quarterbacks, who are some players you’re excited to see get more playing time against the Jets?
3. How much, if any, playing time do you want Aaron Rodgers, T.J. Watt, and other prominent starters to get next week?
4. What’s your early Redman Award leaderboard after last night’s game?
5. Last night, we got our first look at how the Steelers’ new coaching staff is scheming up the offense and defense. What do you think will be the biggest difference between this year’s team and the last few seasons under Mike Tomlin?
6. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said on the Pat McAfee show Friday that team chief of staff Steve Scarnecchia had a medial situation pre-game, leading to some behind-the-scenes struggles to get things “buttoned up” ahead of kickoff. What’s a time in work/life when you had to fill in for someone last minute?

Tonight’s song rec:

With New York planning to play the majority of its starters tonight, Gang Green enters its preseason opener as a 5.5-point favorite over the visiting Buccaneers.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network—and our best bets side with rookie QB Cade Klubnik and the Jets to cover and pull away with the victory.

Read more in my Buccaneers vs. Jets predictions & NFL picks for Friday, Aug. 14. 

Buccaneers vs Jets predictions

Pick	Probability
Jets -5.5	51%
Under 35.5	51%
Jelani Woods TD	12%

Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.

 TOP PICK

Who will win Buccaneers vs Jets: Jets -5.5

Kalshi probability: 51%

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has already announced a lot of starters will get playing time on Friday; however, Geno Smith was made a late scratch due to foot soreness. As such, rookie Cade Klubnik will draw his first start. That immediately gives New York an advantage, as the situation won't be the same for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Baker Mayfield will be watching from the sidelines, which means it'll likely be Jake Browning and rookie Jalon Daniels splitting the reps at quarterback. However, Browning did injure his back on Tuesday, so his status is uncertain. The Bucs have a lot of young players competing for roster spots, and Todd Bowles will want to give them a chance to prove their worth. 

The Jets hold the clear edge here under their veteran signal-caller. 

Buccaneers vs Jets Over/Under pick: Under 35.5

Kalshi probability: 51%

This total sits at 35.5, and I'm leaning Under. Even though the Jets' starters are expected to suit up, this game is still a preseason opener, meaning the first-team reps should be limited. Tampa Bay’s offense is also tough to trust with Mayfield sitting.

That could leave the Buccaneers leaning heavily on Daniels, which makes sustained scoring drives harder to project. New York boasts the cleaner side, but unless the Jets score a lot early, this game has a clearer path to staying under the number.

Buccaneers vs Jets touchdown scorer pick: Jelani Woods

Kalshi probability: 12%

Tight end Jelani Woods has been getting extra camp opportunities with Kenyon Sadiq sidelined, and Jets coaches have talked up his size, athleticism, and mismatch ability. He also found the end zone during a recent scrimmage sequence, giving him the better camp-based TD case. 

He should get targets on Friday evening, and could be one of Smith's top options in this contest. His physicality also gives him clear red-zone appeal, as he stands at 6-foot-7. 

If New York finishes drives early, Woods is a strong touchdown candidate.

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Buccaneers vs Jets weather

Weather at MetLife Stadium looks promising for Friday evening. There will be partly cloudy skies and temperatures falling from the low 80s around kickoff to the upper 70s by 9 p.m. ET.

Winds are light around 4–6 mph, and rain chances stay modest. The weather shouldn't be a major factor.

How to watch Buccaneers vs Jets

Buccaneers vs Jets latest injuries

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The New York Jets are going to start the preseason without their top pilot.

Geno Smith will not play in the team's preseason opener on Aug. 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The quarterback is dealing with foot soreness, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. It is just a precaution for the veteran signal-caller, who would play through the injury if it were during the regular season.

Smith was expected to play alongside many of the Jets starters, which would've represented his first game action with the team since his departure after the 2016 season.

Cade Klubnik will start instead as Smith's replacement.

A Seattle Seahawks preseason slate isn’t complete without a camp crush. From Kasen Williams to Jazz Ferguson and beyond, August football has always brought a new darling into frame in Seattle — even if only for a short time.

As we head into Seattle’s preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys, we’ve got the latest roster sorted in a couple of ways. To help find this season’s favorite among the ballooned 90-man rosters, try sorting the roster by jersey number or last name.

We must note that while Terrion Arnold is set to join the Seahawks roster, he has not been officially signed as of this writing, and consequently there will be a Seahawk on the current roster who will either be let go or placed on injured reserve.

Seattle Seahawks roster by jersey number

• 0 – DE DeMarcus Lawrence
• 1 – CB Julian Neal
• 2 – QB Drew Lock
• 3 – S Nick Emmanwori
• 4 – P Michael Dickson
• 5 – K Jason Myers
• 6 – QB Jalen Milroe
• 7 – LB Uchenna Nwosu
• 8 – RB Jadarian Price
• 9 – S Bud Clark
• 10 – WR Cooper Kupp
• 11 – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• 13 – LB Ernest Jones IV
• 14 – QB Sam Darnold
• 15 – WR Troy Horton
• 17 – CB Noah Igbinoghene
• 18 – TE Elijah Arroyo
• 19 – WR Jake Bobo
• 20 – S Julian Love
• 21 – CB Devon Witherspoon
• 22 – WR Rashid Shaheed
• 23 – S D’Anthony Bell
• 24 – S Rodney Thomas II
• 25 – RB Justin Jones
• 26 – RB Zach Charbonnet
• 27 – RB Emanuel Wilson
• 28 – CB Nehemiah Pritchett
• 29 – CB Josh Jobe
• 30 – S AJ Finley
• 30 – RB TJ Harden
• 31 – RB Jacardia Wright
• 32 – LB Drake Thomas
• 33 – RB Velus Jones Jr.
• 33 – CB Jordan Washington
• 34 – CB Shemar Jean-Charles
• 35 – CB Andre Fuller
• 35 – WR Rashad Rochelle
• 36 – RB George Holani
• 37 – CB Michael Dansby
• 38 – FB Brady Ryssell
• 39 – S Ty Okada
• 41 – LS Chris Stoll
• 42 – LB Aaron Smith
• 43 – S Maxen Hook
• 44 – LB Chazz Surratt
• 46 – FB Brock Lampe
• 47 – LB Jalan Gaines
• 48 – LB Tyrice Knight
• 49 – LB Chris Paul Jr.
• 50 – LB Jamie Sheriff
• 51 – LB Jared Ivey
• 52 – LB Patrick O’Connell
• 55 – C Olu Oluwatimi
• 56 – LB Dante Fowler Jr.
• 57 – LB Connor O’Toole
• 59 – LB Derick Hall
• 59 – LB Marvin Jones Jr.
• 60 – G Beau Stephens
• 61 – C Jalen Sundell
• 62 – C Federico Maranges
• 64 – G Christian Haynes
• 67 – T Charles Cross
• 68 – T Bobby Hart
• 69 – NT Bubba Thomas
• 70 – NT J.R. Singleton
• 72 – T Abe Lucas
• 73 – T Logan Brown
• 74 – G/T Josh Jones
• 75 – G Anthony Bradford
• 76 – G Grey Zabel
• 77 – G Bryce Cabeldue
• 78 – G/T Mason Richman
• 79 – T Amari Kight
• 81 – TE Eric Saubert
• 82 – WR Coby White
• 83 – TE Nick Vannett
• 84 – WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
• 85 – WR Irv Charles
• 86 – WR Ricky White III
• 87 – WR Montorie Foster Jr.
• 88 – TE AJ Barner
• 89 – TE Nick Kallerup
• 90 – DE Jarran Reed
• 91 – DT Byron Murphy II
• 92 – NT Uso Seumalo
• 93 – LB Aidan Hubbard
• 94 – DE Mike Morris
• 95 – NT Brandon Pili
• 97 – NT Deven Eastern
• 98 – DE Rylie Mills
• 99 – DT Leonard Williams

Seattle Seahawks roster by last name

• 18 – TE Elijah Arroyo
• 88 – TE AJ Barner
• 19 – WR Jake Bobo
• 75 – G Anthony Bradford
• 73 – T Logan Brown
• 77 – G Bryce Cabeldue
• 26 – RB Zach Charbonnet
• 85 – WR Irv Charles
• 9 – S Bud Clark
• 67 – T Charles Cross
• 14 – QB Sam Darnold
• 37 – CB Michael Dansby
• 4 – P Michael Dickson
• 97 – NT Deven Eastern
• 3 – S Nick Emmanwori
• 30 – S AJ Finley
• 56 – LB Dante Fowler Jr.
• 87 – WR Montorie Foster Jr.
• 35 – CB Andre Fuller
• 47 – LB Jalan Gaines
• 59 – LB Derick Hall
• 30 – RB TJ Harden
• 68 – T Bobby Hart
• 64 – G Christian Haynes
• 84 – WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
• 43 – S Maxen Hook
• 36 – RB George Holani
• 15 – WR Troy Horton
• 93 – LB Aidan Hubbard
• 17 – CB Noah Igbinoghene
• 34 – CB Shemar Jean-Charles
• 29 – CB Josh Jobe
• 13 – LB Ernest Jones IV
• 74 – G/T Josh Jones
• 25 – RB Justin Jones
• 59 – LB Marvin Jones Jr.
• 33 – RB Velus Jones Jr.
• 89 – TE Nick Kallerup
• 79 – T Amari Kight
• 48 – LB Tyrice Knight
• 46 – FB Brock Lampe
• 0 – DE DeMarcus Lawrence
• 2 – QB Drew Lock
• 20 – S Julian Love
• 72 – T Abe Lucas
• 62 – C Federico Maranges
• 7 – QB Jalen Milroe
• 94 – DE Mike Morris
• 91 – DT Byron Murphy II
• 5 – K Jason Myers
• 1 – CB Julian Neal
• 7 – LB Uchenna Nwosu
• 52 – LB Patrick O’Connell
• 39 – S Ty Okada
• 55 – C Olu Oluwatimi
• 57 – LB Connor O’Toole
• 49 – LB Chris Paul Jr.
• 95 – NT Brandon Pili
• 8 – RB Jadarian Price
• 28 – CB Nehemiah Pritchett
• 90 – DE Jarran Reed
• 78 – G/T Mason Richman
• 35 – WR Rashad Rochelle
• 38 – FB Brady Ryssell
• 81 – TE Eric Saubert
• 92 – NT Uso Seumalo
• 22 – WR Rashid Shaheed
• 50 – LB Jamie Sheriff
• 70 – NT J.R. Singleton
• 42 – LB Aaron Smith
• 11 – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• 41 – LS Chris Stoll
• 44 – LB Chazz Surratt
• 61 – C Jalen Sundell
• 32 – LB Drake Thomas
• 24 – S Rodney Thomas II
• 69 – NT Bubba Thomas
• 83 – TE Nick Vannett
• 21 – CB Devon Witherspoon
• 82 – WR Coby White
• 86 – WR Ricky White III
• 99 – DT Leonard Williams
• 27 – RB Emanuel Wilson
• 31 – RB Jacardia Wright
• 76 – G Grey Zabel

FanDuel Odds

At the moment, the reigning champions find themselves tied for second-best Super Bowl odds on FanDuel Sportsbook, behind the Los Angeles Rams and level at +1100 with the Buffalo Bills. Use this FanDuel link to check out other Seahawks odds and even take a look at how things will shift (or maybe won’t shift) throughout preseason: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nfl

Jets QBGeno Smith will not play in the team's first preseason game on Friday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to foot soreness, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. 

Luckily, New York isn't concerned about the injury and it's not something that would have kept Smith out if Friday's game was in the regular season, Garafolo notes.

Fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik is expected to get a bulk of the snaps early on, while Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook will likely also see the field at some point in the exhibition.

When Smith eventually does take the field for Gang Green, it will be his first start for the team that drafted him since 2016. He spent the 2017 season with the New York Giants, followed by a year with the Los Angeles Chargers, before reviving his career with the Seattle Seahawks. 

Last season, Smith struggled in his lone year with the Las Vegas Raiders, going 2-13 as the starter with 3,025 passing yards, 19 TDs, and 17 INTs. 

The Jets hope there's more left in the tank with the veteran QB, acquiring him from the Raiders in March for a 2026 sixth-round pick prior to the NFL Draft.

Klubnik, who was selected with the No. 110 pick, will now get an extended chance to show his potential and make the Jets seriously consider him for their future. The 22-year-old from Clemson went 26-13 as the starter over three seasons, throwing for 10,132 yards with 73 TDs and just 24 INTs.

It’s almost here. The first Dallas Cowboys preseason game of the 2026 NFL season will take place on Saturday night when the team battles the Seattle Seahawks. Even though it’s not real football, it is a very close approximation.

Given that it is not real football, many clubs hold out their stars from playing the game. No Dak Prescott, no CeeDee Lamb, you get the picture. But what about a player who we think is a star, but just hasn’t had a chance to show it yet. How much should he play?

That is the question we asked you earlier this week about stud rookie Caleb Downs. Just how should the Cowboys treat this preternaturally composed and knowledgeable rookie? How much should he play in the first preseason game.

In between the time we asked and the time of these results, the Cowboys announced he will play, they just haven’t decided how much yet.

What did you guys decide? 40% of respondents said play him for two series. Another 28% said three or more series for Downs. At the other end of the spectrum, 16% said don’t play him at all.

On Saturday, we’ll get to see the answer.

For any NFL odds before the season starts, check out our partner, FanDuel.

The Miami Dolphins kick off their preseason tonight against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Following joint practices earlier this week, both teams are eager to set the tone for their respective seasons. The Dolphins look to build momentum after a significant offseason overhaul of their coaching staff, front office, and roster, while the Commanders aim for a turnaround following an injury-plagued campaign for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Fans can expect to see several Miami starters on the field for the opening series this evening, including the Dolphins’ new starting quarterback, Malik Willis.

Please use this live thread to discuss tonight’s game, the latest NFL news from the past week, and all things Miami Dolphins. As a reminder, please follow our standard site rules, and note that sharing or requesting illegal game streams is strictly prohibited and may result in a suspension from The Phinsider or the wider SBN platform. Enjoy the game!

Miami Dolphins (0-0) AFC East @ Washington Commanders (0-0) NFC East

• When: Fridaday, August 14th, 7:00 PM EST
• Where: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland
• TV: CBS in Miami, Washington DC, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Roanoke; NBC in West Palm Beach; ABC in Richmond, Charlotte
• Streaming: NFL+ (NFL+ offers live out-of-market preseason game streams); MiamiDolphins.com / Miami Dolphins App; Paramount+ (local viewing area only)
• NFL Network Game Replay: Saturday, August 15th, 2:00 AM EST; Tuesday, August 18th, 12:00 PM EST
• Broadcasters: Steve Goldstein (play-by-play), Kim Bokamper (color analyst), Mike Cugno (sideline); (Dan Hellie, Brian Mitchell, John Riggins, Bryan Colbert Jr – Commanders brodcast)
• Local Radio: iHeart Radio Network – WINZ 940-AM/WBGG 105.9 FM Miami/Ft. Lauderdale; iHeart Radio WTZU 94.9 FM Mami/Ft. Lauderdale (Spanish broadcast); WFSX 92.5 FM/105.9 FM Ft. Myers; WUUB 106.3 FM West Palm Beach; WEFL 760 AM West Palm Beach (Spanish broadcast); WAVK 97.7 FM Key West; WCZR 101.7 FM/WAVW 92.7 FM Port St. Lucie; WRSO 810AM Orlando
• Dolphins Radio Broadcast Team:Miami/South Florida Market: Jimmy Cefalo (play-by-play), Joe Rose (color analyst)
• Dolphins Spanish Radio: WTZU-HD2 94.9 FM
• Dolphins Spanish Broadcasters: Roly Martin (play-by-play), Eduardo Martell (color analyst)
• Postgame Radio: iHeart Radio | Host: Travis Wingfield
• FanDuel sportsbook betting odds: Dolphins -3.5; Over/Under: 36.5; Moneyline: Dolphins -164 | Commanders +138
• All Time Record: Dolphins lead the all time series 11-6
• Last Meeting: Dolphins won 16-13, 11/16/2026 in Madrid, Spain
• Referees: Referee: Brad Allen / Chad Hill (second half); Umpire: Marcus Woods; Down Judge: Sarah Thomas; Line Judge: Walter Flowers; Field Judge: Anthony Flemming; Side Judge: Chad Hill; Back Judge: Tyree Walton; Replay Official: Jim Van Geffen; Reply Assistant: Randy Roseberry
• Gametime Weather: 82°F, Cloudy
• Washington Commanders SBNation Site:Hogs Haven

The San Francisco 49ers had tryouts with three defensive backs after the news that Nate Hobbs (groin), Jack Jones (hand), and Marques Sigle (oblique) suffered injuries this past week.

One was Troy Pride, a 5’11, 195-pound cornerback out of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was drafted in the fourth round. Pride was last with the Cowboys in 2020.

Another was Corey Mayfield, a 5’10”, 200-pound cornerback who was most recently in the UFL in 2026, where he had four interceptions.

The final player was Bryce Hall, a fifth-round pick of the Jets out of the 2020 NFL Draft. Hall, 6’1″, 202 pounds, was last with the Bucs in 2024. He has the most NFL experience and had a fine season way back in 2021 with New York.

According to the NFL’s transaction wire, there were also six official number changes, most of which we are already aware:

Kaelon Black from 25 to 26

Jacob Cowing from 19 to 6

Jack Jones from 24 to 25

Will Pauling from 4 to 84

Eddy Pineiro from 15 to 18

Ephesians Prysock from 26 to 35

Deebo Samuel from 1 to 19

Welcome to the second day of NFL preseason action.

Things kicked off Thursday evening with a six-game slate showcasing plenty of rookie talent like No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza and No. 3 pick Jeremiyah Love — so who else will we have eyes on Friday night?

Here's a look at who's in and who's out for Friday night's NFL preseason schedule:

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Football is back!

The Cincinnati Bengals’ first preseason game is in the books. They pulled out a two-point win, 16-14, at home against the Detroit Lions. Most of the Bengals’ starters played, and we got our first good look at some of the new guys looking to crack the final roster. 

Here’s how I think things stand after Preseason Week 1.

Here are the previous versions:

• 1.0
• 2.0
• 3.0
• 4.0
• 5.0

Quarterback (2)

• Joe Burrow
• Joe Flacco

Cut: Sean Clifford, Josh Johnson

Notes: No changes. Burrow and Flacco are the guys. The only thing that would change that is an injury.

Running Back (3)

• Chase Brown
• Samaje Perine
• Tahj Brooks

Cut: Gary Brightwell, Kentrell Bullock, Jamal Haynes, Kendall Milton

Notes: The Bengals started the game with Burrow under center for the first three snaps on offense. They’re making it clear they want to add this wrinkle to an already formidable offense. Whether or not it’ll take hold is another story. Either way, with Burrow and the best wide receiver duo in the league on the roster, the running game will always be secondary to the passing game.

Still, Tahj Brooks hasn’t exactly done much to stand out, nor has any other back on the roster. This could be a position the Bengals make an addition at during final roster cuts.

Wide Receiver (6)

• Ja’Marr Chase
• Tee Higgins
• Andrei Iosivas
• Charlie Jones
• Mitchell Tinsley
• Colbie Young

Cut: Xavier Johnson, Dohnte Myers, Jordan Moore, Noah Thomas, Ke’Shawn Williams, Kendrick Pryor

Notes: Chase and Higgins are 1 and 1A, and it seems as if Iosivas has the inside track at WR3. Jones has earned his job on special teams, and Tinsley and Young are both impressive young guys who add excellent depth.

Former CFL standout Dohnte Myers had a nice preseason debut after making plays throughout training camp, so there’s a chance he’ll be able to take Mitchell Tinsley’s spot on the 53-man roster. If nothing else, Myers is someone the Bengals will almost certainly try to get onto the practice squad if he’s waived.

Tight End (5)

• Mike Gesicki
• Drew Sample
• Tanner Hudson
• Jack Endries
• Erick All Jr. 

Cut: Cam Grandy, Josh Kattus

Notes: Gesicki is more like a slot receiver than tight end, and Sample and Hudson have shown they belong. Endries caught three passes (sharing the lead for the Bengals on Thursday night) and scored the team’s lone touchdown on a pass from Joe Flacco, meaning he was in the game before Hudson got going. That’s a good sign, but he needs to keep performing well since keeping five tight ends can be a hard sell.

Offensive Line (10)

• Orlando Brown Jr.
• Dylan Fairchild
• Ted Karras
• Dalton Risner
• Amarius Mims
• Cody Ford
• Jalen Rivers
• Andrew Coker
• Conner Lew
• Brian Parker II

Cut: OT Javon Foster, OT Corey Robinson II, OT Christian Jones, G Liam Brown, C Jacob Bayer

Notes: Burrow got hit a couple of times and took a sack. It wasn’t exactly the start we would have liked to see from the starting offensive line, but it’s early, and kinks still need to be worked out. This offensive line could use a little help at depth, but it’s still the best Burrow has had in his career.

Defensive Line (10)

• DE Boye Mafe
• DT Dexter Lawrence II
• DT Jonathan Allen
• DE Shemar Stewart
• DE Myles Murphy
• DT B.J. Hill
• DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
• DT T.J. Slaton Jr.
• DE Cashius Howell
• DT Landon Robinson

PUP: BJ Hill

Cut: DE Isaiah Foskey, DE Cedric Johnson, DT Howard Cross III, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Jordan Jefferson

Notes: It appears as if Shemar Stewart avoided a major injury, though there could be a chance he’s placed on IR in Week 1 to ensure he gets ample time to heal 100%. BJ Hill seems as if he’ll be ready by the start of the season. This defensive line went from a weakness to a strength. It’s a deep and talented group, and that should trickle down to the rest of the defense.

The real question mark is Landon Robinson. He’s had a decent training camp thus far and made several nice plays in the win over Detroit. He’ll need to keep that up to secure that final defensive tackle spot.

Linebackers (4)

• Demetrius Knight Jr.
• Barrett Carter
• Oren Burks
• Joe Giles-Harris

Cut: Liam Anderson, Swayze Bozeman, Jack Dingle, Eric Gentry, Antwan Powell-Ryland, Shaka Heyward

Notes: In the last roster projection, I had the Bengals keeping five linebackers. Now with five tight ends, the extra room has to come from somewhere. Linebacker it is.

Cornerback (6)

• DJ Turner II
• Dax Hill
• Jalen Davis
• DJ Ivey
• Ja’Sir Taylor
• Tacario Davis

Cut: Jalen Kimber, Bralyn Lux, Ceyair Wright, Josh Newton

Notes: This group seems pretty set to me. Newton is in the doghouse, and Ivey and both Davises are reportedly impressing at camp. Bralyn Lux is also making a push and has even gotten some run with the 1s, so this is a position that will have several close calls come cutdown day.

Safety (4)

• Bryan Cook
• Jordan Battle
• Kyle Dugger
• Daijahn Anthony

Cut: PJ Jules, Russ Yeast, Isaiah Nwokobia

Notes: Cook didn’t play on Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean a thing. He and Battle will start, with Dugger and Anthony backing them up and contributing on special teams.

Special Teams (3)

• K – Evan McPherson
• P – Ryan Rehkow
• LS – William Wagner

Cut: None

Notes: No notes.

Who caught your eye on Thursday night?

Sound off!

Announced as a safety when his name was called up at the podium of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders appear set to not pigeon hole second-round pick Treydan Stukes.

This particular Arizona Wildcat played a wide array of roles in the secondary and as our Matt Holder explored at the tail end of April, the versatile ballhawk’s penchant to create turnovers is sorely needed in Las Vegas. The lack of takeaways is indeed glaring, as was the Raiders’ need for more talent at safety — particularly the free safety spot.

While Stukes has the ability to play the role as a deep safety, his collegiate snaps were very limited in that regard. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the 6-foot-2 and 200-pound defensive back truly encompassed that generalization as he notched 1,174 snaps at nickel cornerback, 943 snaps at outside/boundary cornerback, 464 as a box defender (strong safety/linebacker), and lastly 39 as a deep safety in split looks.

Thus, a traditional, run-of-the-mill safety Stukes is not. But it’s that versatility the Arizona native possesses that made him the prospect to select with the 38th overall pick in the draft this past April.

“Yeah, I’m super grateful for that. I pride myself on trying to be a smart football player, and I’m glad that they see it the same way,” Stukes said after the Raiders’ training camp practice this past Friday, when asked about the confidence coaches have in him to take on different roles. “I want to be able to help the team with things in any way I can, and if that means learning multiple positions, then I’ll keep doing that.”

It’s no secret that Stukes had a slow start to camp where he was relegated to second- and even third-team snaps. He’s ramped up first-team looks as of late but that shouldn’t be surprising. His hybrid role of nickel and safety positions is complex but he’s gaining confidence. Also compounding that is having an elite nickel cornerback in Taron Johnson and veteran Isaiah Pola-Mao at the free safety spot.

That all noted, the lack of first-team reps for Stukes isn’t overly concerning — yet.

Shining “Star”

In defensive coordinator Rob Leonard’s scheme, the nickel cornerback is dubbed as a “star” chess piece that’s able to cover, drop the hammer as a tackler, and bring the pain as an active blitzer.

The coverage versatility entails matching up with slot receivers, tight ends, and even running backs and being able to play close to the line of scrimmage and rotating back to the deep safety spot or dropping into zone to disguise the play call. Being a sound physical tackler is vital as the nickel corner in Leonard’s system acts as an extra front-seven defender that can fill gaps and make stops in space. Lastly, by leveraging timing, angles, and protection gaps, the star defender is often asked to blitz to help stymie the run or pressure/drop the quarterback.

These are traits that Johnson — acquired via trade from the Buffalo Bills on March 8 — excelled at over the course of his eight seasons in the league (all with Buffalo) since being drafted in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2018 draft out of Weber State. The role is punishing on the player’s body, however, as the 5-foot-11, 192-pound, 30-year-old veteran has missed games throughout his career with various ailments.

Stukes profiles as a bigger and faster (clocked an impressive 4.33-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine) player to man the nickel spot. Thus, athletically, there’s little concern that Stukes can fill the role. It’s the mental part — which is just as taxing as the role is physically — that needs to be equally on par. And it’s something that’s growing with each practice.

“I think it’s kind of what you would expect. The game is just a little bit faster, a little more complex. It takes a lot to play this game at a high level. And when you’re trying to learn multiple positions at the same time, it’s a lot of information to take on at once,” Stukes admitted. “I think as you get confident in the scheme and you start to understand the plays as a whole, what we’re trying to accomplish with the calls, that’s when it kind of slows down for you. You can immerse yourself in both positions and be able to help the defense in different ways.”

But like Stukes noted above, the confidence the coaching staff has in him is matched by his enthusiasm to be a chess piece in the Raiders’ defense. A scheme that is set to put players in the best possible position succeed.

“I think this is a really, really fun scheme to be a part of. I think it gives defensive backs a lot of chances to make plays and a lot of chances to show your talents,” Stukes said. “If you’re good at something, they’re going to make sure that you’re able to do it, and they put you in a spot to do so. So, I think this is a really good scheme and I think it’s going to help our defense.”

Deciding Depth

Having both Johnson and Pola-Mao on the roster gives Las Vegas the opportunity to be straight forward or get creative. But having the two veterans also provides the defensive coaching staff the opportunity to hone and be patient with Stukes’ development.

Sure, the 38th overall picking not sprinting forward with pre-dominant first-team snaps can be disconcerting, having an elite nickel corner ahead of him mitigates that. And Pola-Mao, who struggled as a full-time starter at free safety in 2025, is looking to rebound especially on his final year of a two-year contract extension he inked. Ditto for strong safety Jeremy Chinn who is on the final leg of his two-year pact this coming season.

At some point, Stukes involvement and snaps will need to exponentially multiply considering Johnson’s age and injury history, alongside both Pola-Mao and Chinn with expiring contracts (sans additional extensions) next offseason.

Stukes is certainly taking advantage of having the veterans in front of him.

“TJ (Taron Johnson) is a super savvy vet. He’s been playing for a good amount of time and he’s seen a lot. He’s done a lot. He’s played this game at a high level and in that position at high level for a while,” Stukes said. “So, for us to have a guy like that, it’s super helpful. It allows our scheme to do different things. I think he’s a great role model for me in his versatility and how he’s able to help the defense in multiple spots.”

Johnson is even shifting to safety in the big nickel sets the Raiders deployed in practices. In those looks, it’s Chinn who moves down into the nickel spot to be a box defender, blitzer, and cover man.

Additionally, Stukes isn’t the lone Wildcat on the Raiders roster.

The team also drafted his collegiate tag team partner, Dalton Johnson, in the fifth round (150th overall). While smaller and slower (4.41 timed speed) than his Arizona teammate, the 5-foot-11 and 198-pound Texas native received first-team looks this offseason so the coaching staff can test Johnson’s capabilities.

Profiled as a more of a physical and stronger tackler with sneaky takeaway skillset than his highly drafted teammate, Johnson was a versatile piece of the Wildcats defense logging 702 snaps in the box, 574 at free safety, 480 at strong safety, and another 463 as a nickel cornerback.

Expect both Arizona products to get plenty of opportunities on Joe DeCamillis’ special teams groups. And while what head coach Klint Kubiak said specifically of Stukes likely ruffled feathers — because special teams was identified and not defense, per say — it rings true.

“I like how hard he plays special teams,” Kubiak answered when asked what he likes about Stukes. “He’s a guy that’s going to challenge guys for spots in many places on defense and on teams. But I like that he’s a team first guy and it shows up in the way that he plays teams.”

Ty Simpson is a day away from making his NFL debut when the Los Angeles Rams travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday.

With a high amount of anticipation in front of him, Simpson revealed to reporters on Thursday some of the best advice Matthew Stafford has given him.

“To just be yourself,” Simpson said. “… ‘Don’t try to be somebody else; just do it your way.”

Simpson added that Stafford told him, “A lot of times people get caught up in the mess of trying to do like somebody else, trying to be like whoever, but it is more about finding who you are and how things work and tick.”

The next three weeks will be a crucial learning period for Simpson as he will likely see a large amount of playing time before the regular season, as Stafford will likely not take a preseason snap.

Head coach Sean McVay will also get a chance to see what his rookie quarterback is made of after the Rams made a leap of faith by selecting him with the No.13 overall at the NFL Draft this past spring.

When the Rams selected him, they made their intentions clear. He will be sitting under Stafford’s wing as the quarterback of the future for the Rams.

Stafford’s been embracing the mentorship role with Simpson, as the young rookie quarterback revealed the veteran asked him how he’s feeling about playing in his first NFL game.

“I told him I was excited. It’s a great opportunity for me to play,” Simpson said. “The best advice that he gave me was, ‘Just go let it rip. It’s nothing that you haven’t done before. Just go out there and play with the rules, see the play clock, understand what your problems are, and go let it rip.”

Aside from Stafford being a key part in mentoring him, he added that veteran quarterback Stetson Bennett and head coach McVay have been great role models and mentors for him to lean on.

“Not only are we going to get better, but it is a growth moment where we all come together and help the team,” Simpson said.

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Ahead of his first training camp as New England Patriots head coach in 2025, Mike Vrabel explained that he was judging his team’s performances by three distinct categories. There is the good, there is the bad, and there is, as he called it, the s—t that gets you beat.

The Patriots’ 13-13 preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts featured a little bit of all three. And if the coach wants to look at his team through his categorizations, who are we to disagree? So, let’s break down Thursday’s game accordingly.

The good: Big plays

After struggling during Tuesday’s joint practice, the Patriots’ defensive machinery shifted into a higher gear on Thursday night. Besides giving up only 13 points and allowing the Colts to go just 1-for-8 on third down and 0-for-1 on fourth down, the group also registered four takeaways on the day — all without playing its regular starters.

Cornerback Kindle Vildor was first to step up, intercepting a bobbled pass to end Indianapolis’ first possession. In the early second quarter, John Saunders Jr. and Dell Pettus teamed up for a fumble recovery to keep the Colts off the board despite being in a 1st-and-goal situation from the 1-yard line. On the very next drive, K.J. Britt showed some good range to knock the ball out of quarterback Anthony Richardson’s hands with teammate Isaiah Iton falling on it for the recovery.

In the third quarter, Saunders Jr. was at it again by picking off a Riley Leonard throw and returning it 26 yards to set up a field goal. At that point in the game, four of the Colts’ seven possessions had ended in turnovers.

“The turnovers are great, and I love us attacking the football and taking advantage of that,” said Mike Vrabel after the game.

While the defensive big plays were one of the biggest takeaways from the contest, the Patriots also managed to make some big plays on offense. Whether it was Tommy DeVito and Kyle Williams connecting on a 25-yard deep ball or 12-yard touchdown, the unit going 2-for-2 on fourth down, or the disallowed chunk plays we will mention shortly, New England did manage to also have a few big as well as some medium-sized plays on offense.

The bad: Untimely penalties

The Patriots were flagged five times on the day, resulting in a loss of 35 total yards. Those numbers are not bad, but the timing of the infractions were.

Caleb Lomu being flagged for an admittedly harsh ineligible man downfield penalty negated a 25-yard pass to Eli Raridon; Efton Chism illegally blocking above the waist took a 16-yard screen pass to Lan Larison off the board; James Hudson also being too far up the field wiped out a 48-yard Cameron Dorner reception; Lorenz Metz holding on a block turned a 13-yard Hassan Haskins run into a 10-yard penalty.

“Unfortunately penalties got a lot of our big plays called back,” said Raridon afterwards.

Four of the five penalties came on offense, but the lone defensive infraction also negated a big play. On what would have been a third-down stop on the eventual game-tying field goal drive, Isaiah Iton was flagged for illegal use of hands.

The s—t that gets you beat: Insufficient finishing

Obviously, Andy Borregales missing three of five field goal attempts including the potential game-winner from 49 yards out is not ideal. In fact, Mike Vrabel stating during his postgame presser that “[w]e expect him to make them” pretty much sums the whole situation up.

However, Borregales’ 40% success rate on Thursday is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The Patriots in general had trouble with their finishing when in possession of the football.

Of their 12 total possessions, six ended in punts — a direct result of them going just 5-of-18 of third downs for a 28% conversion rate. Some of that was due to quarterback Tommy DeVito not being fully on target, including on what could have been a 43-yard touchdown to Kyle Williams in the late second quarter. Hitting plays like these, as well as getting the field goal rate back up, would go a long way toward a game like Thursday’s not remaining close despite a plus-four turnover margin.

The Washington Commanders had a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, and will now host them at Northwest Stadium. Jayden Daniels isn’t expected play in the first preseason game, so we’ll likely get Marcus Mariota starting and the battle for QB3 between Sam Hartman and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis taking center stage. There are a lot of new names on the team that will be playing their first game with the Commanders, and most of them are fighting for a roster spot.

There have been a number of training camp battles this summer, and some of them have unfortunately been affected by injuries. Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps which ended the LG competition between Chris Paul and Brandon Coleman(moving back to LT). Nick Allegretti suffered a calf strain and has missed most of training camp forcing Washington to scramble to find a replacement “starter” and depth for practices and preseason games. John Bates’ hamstring injury has allowed players like Colson Yankoff to step up and make plays over the last two weeks.

Matchup: Miami Dolphins (0-0) @ Washington Commanders (0-0)

Location: Northwest Stadium | Landover, MD

Date/Time: August 14, 2026, 7 p.m. ET

TV: WUSA (CBS/9 – Washington)

Dan Hellie (play-by-play)

John Riggins, Brian Mitchell (analyst)

Brian Colbert Jr. (sidelines)

RADIO: Big 100(iHeart Radio)

Bram Weinstein (play-by-play)

London Fletcher (analyst)

Logan Paulsen (analyst)

Spanish Broadcast

Moisés Linares (play-by-play)

Juan Romero (analyst)

Sirius XM NFL

Miami: XM/SXM 382, Internet 819

Washington: XM/SXM 226, Internet 821

Online Stream: NFL+, fuboTV,YouTube NFL Sunday Ticket

FanDuel Odds: Washington +3.5 , 36.5 O/U

Dolphins -164

Commanders +138

Prediction: Washington 20 – Miami 11

Enemy Blog: The Phinsider

Purchase Washington Commanders tickets at StubHub!

Washington Commanders 2026 Preseason Schedule

Week 1 – vs Miami Dolphins (Friday, August 14, 7 p.m. ET, CBS)

Week 2 – @ Detroit Lions (Saturday, August 22, 12 p.m. ET; CBS)

Week 3 – @ Baltimore Ravens (Friday, August 28, 6 p.m. ET, CBS)

Regular Season

Week 1 – @ Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, September 13th, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)

Week 2 – @ Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, September 20th, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)

Week 3 – vs Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, September 27th, 1 p.m. ET, FOX)

Week 4 – vs Indianapolis Colts (London, Sunday, October 4th, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFLN)

Week 5 – @ Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, October 5th, 4:25 p.m., FOX)

Week 6 – @ San Francisco 49ers (October 19th, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday Night Football, ABC/ESPN)

Week 7 – BYE WEEK

Week 8 – vs Philadelphia Eagles (November 1st, 8:20 p.m. ET, SNF, NBC)

Week 9 – vs Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, November 8th, 1 p.m. ET, FOX)

Week 10 – @ New York Giants (Thursday, November 12th, 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon)

Week 11 – vs Cincinnati Bengals (November 23rd, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday Night Football, ESPN)

Week 12 – @ Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, November 29th, 4:25 p.m., FOX)

Week 13 – @ Tennessee Titans (Sunday, December 6th, 1 p.m., CBS)

Week 14 – vs Houston Texans (Sunday, December 13th, 1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Week 15 – vs Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, December 20th, 1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Week 16 – @ Minnesota Vikings (Date/Time TBD)

Week 17 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Date/Time TBD)

Week 18 – vs Dallas Cowboys (Date/Time TBD)

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The NFL has suspended Tennessee Titans defensive back Nazeeh Johnson for the first six games of the 2026 season for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances (PES) policy.

The NFL announced the decision as part of its daily transaction wire on Friday, Aug. 14, outlining how the suspension will affect Johnson.

"[Johnson] is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games," the league's statement read. "His suspension will take effect as of the roster reduction to 53 players."

The Seattle Seahawks’ campaign as defending Super Bowl champions will feature a last dance.

Veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, headed into his second season with the team, told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein on Friday that the upcoming season will be his 13th and final, citing his family remaining in Dallas as reason.

Lawrence arrived in Seattle last offseason on a three-year, $32.5 million deal that will have no guaranteed money remaining after this upcoming season.

The long-time Dallas Cowboy remained a productive player in his first year outside of Dallas, playing and starting 16 games for the NFC’s best team while rotating in for just under 60% of the defensive snaps. It was another strong season for the five-time Pro Bowler, as he collected six sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and, incredibly, two fumble return touchdowns.

Originally a second-round pick, taken 34th overall by the Cowboys in the 2014 NFL Draft, Lawrence spent the first 12 seasons of his career with them. Despite multiple seasons derailed by injury, Lawrence will retire in the top 10 of the franchise’s all-time sacks list, ranking 10th with 61.5.

The 2025 season brought the veteran his first ring and now, in Lawrence’s final NFL season, he and the Seahawks will look to go back-to-back and send him off into the sunset in style.