Former Division II quarterback Jack Strand threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, leading the visiting Atlanta Falcons to a convincing 34-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon in preseason action.
Strand, an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State-Moorhead, made a strong case to be Atlanta’s third-string quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa — who are still battling for the starting job and both sat against the Colts. Strand completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards, including a 13-yard score to fellow rookie Cash Jones, and scampered for a 16-yard score early in the third quarter.
Cooper Rush, who got the start for the Falcons (1-1), also impressed, completing 10 of 11 passes for 86 yards. Running backs Tyler Goodson (59 yards) and Nathan Carter (42 yards) also added rushing touchdowns for Atlanta, which outgained Indianapolis 461-164.
The Colts (0-1-1) got all of their points from a pair of Spencer Shrader field goals and struggled to generate much offense with their reserve quarterbacks, converting 1 of 11 third-down attempts. Of Indianapolis’ 79 passing yards from reserves Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr., 39 of them came on a single completion to Coleman Owen.
Lions 17, Commanders 13
Detroit rested its starters but used rushing touchdowns from Joshua Dobbs and Trayveon Williams to come away with a win over visiting Washington.
Dobbs, the backup quarterback for the Lions (1-1) behind Jared Goff, had an eventful first quarter, with his first drive ending on a strip-sack, his second on an interception and his third on a 50-yard touchdown run. Rookie third-stringer Luke Altmyer got the majority of the reps, completing 9 of 13 passes for 86 yards.
Jayden Daniels, looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season, played one series for the Commanders (1-1). He threw one incomplete pass and was sacked once. Rookie linebacker Joshua Josephs scored Washington’s lone touchdown by recovering Dobbs’ fumble in the end zone 51 seconds into the game.
Washington rookie kicker Drew Stevens, whom the team chose over veteran Jake Moody earlier this week, made both of his field-goal attempts. Detroit kicker Jake Bates made one of two field-goal attempts.
Bills 31, Browns 7
Rookie receiver Ja’Mori Maclin had 108 receiving yards and a touchdown catch to spark Buffalo’s road demolition of Cleveland.
Kyle Allen (10-for-12, 128 yards) and Shane Buechele (5-for-10, 111 yards) each threw a touchdown pass for the Bills (2-0), who outscored the Browns 17-0 in the second half. Maclin’s 71-yard catch-and-run score made it 24-7 late in the third quarter. Frank Gore Jr., the son of the former Bills running back, ran for 54 yards, just behind Ian Wheeler’s game-high 56 rushing yards.
The quarterback battle for Cleveland (0-2) seems to have narrowed to Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, with Dillon Gabriel attempting just one pass late in the loss. Neither had a particularly strong day, but Sanders (9-for-11, 74 yards, one touchdown, one interception) had a better showing than Watson (5-for-12, 36 yards, one pick). Luke Floriea’s first-quarter touchdown catch provided the Browns’ only points.
Ravens 13, Vikings 3
Joe Fagnano continued a strong preseason showing for Baltimore, throwing for 123 yards and a touchdown in a victory over host Minnesota.
The undrafted rookie out of UConn completed 15 of 20 passes for the Ravens (2-0) and has 347 passing yards, two TDs and one interception through two games. His third-quarter touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester put Baltimore ahead for good, breaking a 3-3 tie. The Ravens’ defense had five sacks, while kicker Tyler Loop made a pair of field goals.
With starter Kyler Murray sitting, former first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy got the start for the Vikings (1-1). He completed 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards, completing a 50-yard deep pass to Tai Felton (game-high 66 receiving yards) but also overthrowing a wide-open receiver on fourth-and-goal. Carson Wentz was 9-of-11 passing for 92 yards in relief of McCarthy.
–Field Level Media
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