NFL Preseason Concludes with Final Roster Auditions and Key Storylines
The final week of the NFL preseason wrapped up Saturday night, marking the last opportunity for players to secure their spots on the 53-man roster. Across the league, teams finalized their evaluations in a series of exhibition finales.
Browns’ Quarterback Battle in the Spotlight
In one of the evening’s featured matchups, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Los Angeles Rams 19-17, with all eyes on the Browns’ quarterback competition behind starter Joe Flacco.
Flacco was sharp in his limited action, completing 9 of 10 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. He was then relieved by third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, who continued his impressive preseason. Gabriel put together a solid performance, going 12 of 19 for 129 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a well-executed two-minute drill that ended in a score.
In contrast, quarterback Sanders struggled against the Rams’ defensive pressure, completing only 3 of 6 passes for 14 yards while being sacked five times for a loss of 41 yards. His difficult outing likely strengthens Gabriel’s case for making the final roster. The situation remains complicated by veteran Kenny Pickett, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury throughout the preseason.
Scores and Highlights from Saturday’s Action
- Packers 20, Seahawks 7: At Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Seattle Seahawks. For Seattle, rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe saw significant action as he aimed to solidify his position as the team’s primary backup.
- Dolphins 14, Jaguars 6: The Miami Dolphins secured a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their preseason finale.
- Other Games: The final day of preseason also included matchups between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers, and the Las Vegas Raiders visiting the Arizona Cardinals.
Top Storylines From Around the League
- Concerns for Bears’ Starters: Despite a 29-27 walk-off victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, there was concern in Chicago. Head Coach Matt Eberflus described the first-team offense’s performance as “sloppy” and “not good enough,” raising questions as the regular season approaches. The win was secured by the backups, led by quarterback Tyson Bagent.
- Micah Parsons Contract Drama Continues: The contract negotiations for Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons remain a major topic. Owner Jerry Jones has been vocal in the media about the talks, while Parsons was seen on the trainer’s table during the team’s final preseason game, adding another layer to the ongoing situation.
- Steelers Rookie Sidelined: Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick, defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, is expected to miss approximately a month after being diagnosed with an MCL sprain. The injury, suffered in the team’s final preseason game, is not as severe as initially feared but will likely land him on the injured reserve list to start the season.
