Friday Night NFL Preseason Recap: Jets’ Defense Dominates, Panthers and Packers Roll

Geno Smith delivers a perfect opening drive, Carolina’s quarterbacks shine and Green Bay pulls away in Denver

Friday night’s NFL preseason schedule featured three games, with the New York Jets recording a shutout and the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers each scoring convincing road victories. Several starting quarterbacks received limited work, while backups and roster hopefuls handled most of the night.

Jets 17, Steelers 0

PITTSBURGH — Geno Smith was perfect in his lone possession, and the New York defense intercepted two passes as the Jets blanked the Pittsburgh Steelers, 17-0.

Smith completed all seven of his attempts for 65 yards while directing a 10-play, 69-yard opening drive. He finished it with a short pass to Jelani Woods, who powered into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

Pittsburgh rested starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the second consecutive preseason game. Will Howard completed 10 of 15 passes for 74 yards but was intercepted by Andre Cisco and Samuel Womack during the second quarter. Drew Allar added 110 yards on 11-of-23 passing.

The game remained 7-0 until a Jets field goal in the fourth quarter. Brady Cook then connected with Quincy Skinner Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown that sealed the victory. New York registered four sacks and prevented Pittsburgh from mounting a serious scoring threat.

Turning point: Cisco and Womack intercepted Howard on consecutive Pittsburgh possessions, preserving the Jets’ early advantage.

Star of the Game: Geno Smith, Jets — 7-of-7 passing for 65 yards and a touchdown during a flawless opening drive.

Panthers 34, Jaguars 17

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bryce Young provided an efficient start before Carolina’s reserves took control in a 34-17 victory over Jacksonville.

Young completed 5 of 6 passes for 49 yards across two possessions. His second drive ended with Jonathon Brooks scoring on a one-yard run, giving the Panthers an early indication that their starting offense was ready for the evening.

Kenny Pickett handled most of Carolina’s remaining quarterback work, finishing 15 of 25 for 137 yards and a touchdown. John Metchie III strengthened his case for a prominent receiving role with six catches for 77 yards.

Jacksonville again kept Trevor Lawrence on the sideline. Nick Mullens completed 6 of 7 passes for 65 yards, while Joey Aguilar went 9 of 10 for 130 yards and a touchdown. Trebor Pena caught four passes for 72 yards and a score, and Ameer Abdullah contributed 45 rushing yards.

The Jaguars generated several promising individual performances, but Carolina’s depth and ability to finish drives produced the difference.

Turning point: Carolina converted Young’s second and final possession into the opening touchdown, then maintained control after the starters departed.

Star of the Game: John Metchie III, Panthers — Six receptions for a game-high 77 yards.

Packers 33, Broncos 13

DENVER — Jordan Love led a touchdown drive in his only series, and Trey Smack kicked four field goals as Green Bay defeated Denver, 33-13.

Love completed a 12-play, 63-yard march with an 11-yard touchdown pass to MarShawn Lloyd. He finished with 56 passing yards before Tyrod Taylor and Kyle McCord took over. Taylor threw a two-yard touchdown to Will Sheppard, while McCord completed 12 of 19 passes for 118 yards.

Smack supplied much of Green Bay’s scoring with four successful field goals, including a 59-yarder. Sheppard led all receivers with six catches for 47 yards.

Denver quarterback Bo Nix made an encouraging return from his broken ankle. Nix completed 6 of 9 attempts for 76 yards over two possessions, throwing a 21-yard touchdown pass to R.J. Harvey before directing a drive that ended with Wil Lutz’s 53-yard field goal. The Broncos failed to score after Nix left, allowing Green Bay to pull away.

Turning point: The Packers scored 26 unanswered points after Denver drew even at 7 in the opening quarter.

Star of the Game: Trey Smack, Packers — Four field goals, highlighted by a 59-yard conversion.

Friday’s statistics are supported by the Reuters NFL preseason roundup and the official NFL scoreboard.

Friday’s Results

NFL Preseason Weekend Preview

Saturday, August 22

Commanders at Lions — Noon ET

Detroit’s only home game of the preseason will give coach Dan Campbell another opportunity to evaluate his depth chart in front of the Ford Field crowd. Josh Dobbs is expected to start at quarterback in place of Jared Goff, while several other Lions starters could receive limited work. Washington must decide whether the benefit of giving Jayden Daniels preseason repetitions outweighs the injury risk. The Commanders’ unsettled offensive-line combinations will also receive close attention.

Key storyline: Will Daniels play, and how effectively can Washington protect whichever quarterback starts?

Bills at Browns — 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network

Buffalo travels to Cleveland for a matchup likely to be shaped by reserve quarterbacks, young defenders and special-teams auditions. Both clubs are using the afternoon to evaluate the bottom half of their rosters before final preseason decisions approach. Cleveland will look for cleaner execution after losing its opener in Chicago, while Buffalo will try to build on its convincing first-week performance against Carolina.

Key storyline: Which team’s young defensive players can create turnovers and improve their roster position?

Falcons at Colts — 1 p.m. ET

Atlanta enters its second preseason game seeking improvement after a 27-7 loss to Denver. The Falcons’ offensive depth will be under particular scrutiny as the team continues evaluating its options behind an injured Michael Penix Jr. Indianapolis played New England to a 13-13 tie in its opener, leaving the Colts with another opportunity to settle several reserve roles.

Key storyline: Atlanta’s quarterback and offensive-line depth against an Indianapolis defense trying to generate more pressure.

Ravens at Vikings — 1 p.m. ET

Baltimore’s depth was impressive during a 24-7 opening victory over Philadelphia, while Minnesota edged the Giants, 13-10. Saturday’s meeting should provide a useful test for two defenses that performed well in their first outings. The Ravens will continue evaluating players adapting to a new coaching structure, and Minnesota will look for greater consistency from its reserve offense.

Key storyline: Can Minnesota’s offense produce sustained drives against Baltimore’s deep and physical defense?

Saints at Rams — 4 p.m. ET

New Orleans will attempt to rebound from its 24-20 loss to Jacksonville, while the Rams seek to build on a 20-12 victory at Kansas City. Both teams are expected to protect many established starters, placing the focus on backup quarterbacks and players battling for jobs on special teams. The Saints will also be looking for a calmer performance following a contentious week that included fights during joint practices with Dallas.

Key storyline: Which reserve quarterback can provide the steadier performance during the second half?

Giants at Dolphins — 4 p.m. ET, NFL Network

New York’s crowded offensive skill-position competitions will be central to this matchup. The Giants are evaluating several wide receivers and running backs, including players competing for return duties and the final roster positions. Miami, meanwhile, will try to find more offensive production after scoring only seven points in its preseason opener against Washington.

Key storyline: The Giants’ battles at wide receiver, running back and nickel cornerback.

Bears at Bengals — 7 p.m. ET

Both teams won their preseason openers, with Chicago beating Cleveland and Cincinnati edging Detroit. Saturday’s game offers another opportunity to assess young players on two rosters carrying postseason expectations. Cincinnati’s offensive depth will be tested by an aggressive Bears defense, while Chicago will seek greater consistency from its reserve passing game.

Key storyline: Can Cincinnati’s backup offensive line handle Chicago’s pressure packages?

Eagles at Patriots — 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network

Philadelphia and New England meet after two days of joint practices, giving both coaching staffs extensive information about the opposing roster. The Eagles will look for a significant response after being outgained 440-159 in their 24-7 loss to Baltimore. New England, coming off a 13-13 tie with Indianapolis, will continue sorting through its offensive and defensive depth.

Key storyline: Whether Philadelphia can improve its pass protection and avoid the penalties that undermined its opener.

Chiefs at Buccaneers — 7:30 p.m. ET

Kansas City will try to rebound from a 20-12 loss to the Rams, while Tampa Bay seeks its second consecutive victory after beating the Jets, 24-16. With established stars likely to see little or no action, this game should hinge on backup quarterback play, defensive depth and special teams. Kansas City’s reserve receivers will have an important chance to distinguish themselves.

Key storyline: The competition for supporting roles in the Chiefs’ passing game.

Cowboys at Cardinals — 10 p.m. ET, NFL Network

Dallas enters the late game after an encouraging 17-7 victory at Seattle. The Cowboys will look for another productive night from their young receivers and defensive backs. Arizona has already played twice because of its Hall of Fame Game appearance, giving the coaching staff a larger body of preseason film as it evaluates the roster.

Key storyline: Can Dallas’ young playmakers carry their strong opening performance into a second road game?

Sunday, August 23

Seahawks at Titans — 8 p.m. ET, FOX

The weekend’s only Sunday game receives a national television window. Tennessee beat San Francisco, 19-13, in its opener, while Seattle fell 17-7 to Dallas.

The Titans will continue evaluating their young offense, including the development of quarterback Cam Ward. Seattle’s receiving depth has become a pressing concern after Jake Bobo sustained what coach Mike Macdonald described as a serious, long-term knee injury during joint practices. Tory Horton is also unavailable, creating additional opportunities for the Seahawks’ remaining receivers.

Key storyline: Tennessee’s young offense against a Seattle defense seeking a response—and Seattle’s increasingly important receiver competition.