CHICAGO (AP) — Mitch Trubisky threw for 166 yards and led three scoring drives after Mike Glennon struggled for Chicago, before the Denver Broncos scored two long touchdowns in the closing minutes to beat the Bears 24-17 in the preseason opener on Thursday night.
Though the Bears have insisted Glennon is their starter, Trubisky just might have created a quarterback controversy.
Jaguars 31, Patriots 24
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Jimmy Garoppolo missed his chance at an on-field audition when he was injured during Tom Brady’s four-game “Deflategate” suspension last season.
So this might be his best chance to show the Patriots — or another team that wants to trade for him — that he’s ready to be an NFL starter.
“Coach always has us guessing,” the heir apparent said Thursday night after completing a Brady-like 22 of 28 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-24 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Packers 24, Eagles 9
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Quarterback Carson Wentz had a perfect preseason debut for the Philadelphia Eagles under less than ideal conditions against the Green Bay Packers.
The ball was a little slick because of the humidity on Thursday night. Players on both sides were shaking off the rust in their first preseason game of the season.
Ravens 23, Redskins 3
BALTIMORE (AP) — Ryan Mallett struggled in place of injured quarterback Joe Flacco, throwing for only 58 yards while playing the entire first half, and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Washington Redskins 23-3 on Thursday night in a sloppy preseason opener.
The Ravens scored 13 points while Mallett was in the game. Flacco has yet to take a snap this summer because of a bad back. That left Mallett to run the first-team offense; he went 9 for 18 and was sacked once.
Browns 20, Saints 14
CLEVELAND (AP) — After a brief, brutal and breathtaking NFL exhibition debut, Myles Garrett was asked what he didn’t do well.
“Nothing,” he said.
Finally, the beleaguered Browns may have something.
Garrett showed flashes of dominance in his first preseason game, and Cleveland rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer threw a late touchdown pass and the Browns rallied to beat New Orleans 20-14 on Thursday night while Saints stars Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson watched.
Falcons 23, Dolphins 20
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons’ new investment in Devonta Freeman is already reaping dividends.
Now the NFL’s highest-paid running back, Freeman looked the part in a brief appearance Thursday night, scoring on a 15-yard reception from Matt Ryan as Atlanta lost to the Miami Dolphins 23-20.
Vikings 17, Bills 10
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater need not rush back from injury after Case Keenum showed glimpses of being a capable backup in the Minnesota Vikings’ 17-10 preseason-opening win over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
Taking over for starter Sam Bradford, Keenum went 11 of 16 for 121 yards. The sixth-year player engineered a pair of scoring drives — both set up by passes to rookie receiver Stacy Coley.
