LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 27: Eddy Pineiro #18 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a 51-yard field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders as Corliss Waitman #7 holds in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 27, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 18-12. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Eddy Pineiro caps off the 49ers’ preseason with a perfect performance “Black benefitted from good blocking on a 14-yard run on the ensuing drive. His decisiveness shown on a 3rd & 1 run last week ended up being a mistake Jordan James made in his first action. Black gave way to James in the second quarter. On a 3rd & 1 run, James attempted to cut against the grain instead of staying on his path and picking up the first down. That’s a good learning moment for James.
James broke a run himself. He had a 17-yarder and also took a screen pass 20 yards. James isn’t flashy, but he’s the type of back to bounce off tackles and fall forward for a few extra yards. That’s what you want in a backup. He’ll learn to stick his nose in there and maximize the yardage in short-yardage situations…
…The most intriguing rookie may have been undrafted free agent tight end Khalil Dinkins. He’s listed at 6’4”, 226 pounds. That might be about 15 pounds too light. He played blocked with a level of intensity in limited action that is worth keeping around on the practice squad.”
Why is 49ers’ Carver Willis getting another start at LG? The rookie needs the reps (paywall) “Outsiders tend to fixate on pass protection when evaluating offensive linemen. The 49ers, however, scrutinize run blocking, especially following a season in which the team’s per-carry average, a robust 4.52 yards in the first eight seasons under Shanahan, dropped to 3.78 yards. It was the first time in his tenure the average fell below 4 yards.
Willis emphasized that the 49ers’ run-blocking scheme is an extremely precise choreography — a Chorus Line but with 315-pound defensive tackles trying to blow up the performance.
His biggest issue right now is that he’s slightly out of step. Or in his words: “My angles in the run game aren’t very complementary of the guys next to me.”
A false step by the left guard on a running play isn’t something a casual observer usually picks up on, but it is obvious — like a sour note during a piano recital — to an expert like offensive line coach Chris Foerster.
“There are so many plays where you can see that the four guys next to me — their hips are on a different angle than mine,” Willis said. “For me right now, it’s studying that aiming point and running on our angles, setting our backside shoulder, all that kind of stuff.”
One benefit to playing left guard for the 49ers, he said, is that he has Trent Williams, who’s played 11,334 career snaps, to his left and Jake Brendel (4,376 career snaps) to the right. And that means he often gets real-time coaching in the huddle.
“Those guys have been so great,” Willis said. “They’ll tell you when you did well. Be like, ‘Hey, great job on that. That’s exactly what we need.’ Or it’s, ‘Hey, come on. You have to see that quicker.’ Or, ‘You’ve got to get hands on the guy.’ I’ve got a combined 23 years of experience next to me. That’s huge. Our vets have been so helpful.”
Will 49ers trust Kaelon Black, Jordan James enough to lighten Christian McCaffrey’s load? (Paywall) “Thursday night was James’ only chance to put something on tape ahead of the season opener in Australia. And he looked good for the most part. James finished with 35 yards on eight carries, including a 17-yarder up the gut with good contact balance, along with a 20-yard catch, which was a screen pass that turned into much more upon his cutback and a nice perimeter block by rookie left guard hopeful Carver Willis.
His momentary lapses: Running sideways instead of vertical on a third-and-1 carry that lost a yard (one Black would probably convert) and getting flagged for an illegal block that negated a touchdown pass.”
LAS VEGAS — The Raiders wrapped up their preseason Thursday with an 18-12 loss to the 49ers.
They finished the preseason with a 1-2 record and now set their sights on their season opener against the Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Here are some takeaways from a sluggish preseason finale:
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) AP Photo/John Locher
Quarterback competition may have been settled
With Kirk Cousins opening the game and directing two field-goal drives before giving way to Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders got one final side-by-side look at the two quarterbacks ostensibly competing for the starting job.
How genuine that competition ever was remains open to debate. But until coach Klint Kubiak makes an official declaration, Mendoza technically remains in the running to start the season opener.
Practically speaking, however, every logical sign points to Cousins.
The Raiders brought in the veteran specifically to buy Mendoza time and to avoid the mistake so many teams have made by rushing a young quarterback onto the field before he is ready. Mendoza may be the future face of the franchise, but Cousins was signed to protect that future while stabilizing the present.
If there were any lingering questions about the pecking order, Cousins may have answered them Thursday night.
He was hardly spectacular. In fact, it is worth noting that the Raiders’ first-team offense failed to reach the end zone on either of his two possessions against a defense made up largely of 49ers backups. That is not exactly the emphatic closing argument Cousins might have hoped to make.
But he was steady, efficient and, most importantly, mistake-free. Cousins was 8-of-11 passing for 51 yards, moved the Raiders into scoring position twice and avoided the kind of damaging play that can swing a game — and a quarterback competition.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) AP Photo/David Becker
Mendoza’s night was considerably more uneven.
For the second consecutive game, the rookie was intercepted, this time sailing a pass to Jalen Nailor over the middle. Nailor climbed to make the catch, but the ball glanced off his hands and into the arms of 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune.
The throw was high, but it was not entirely on Mendoza. Nailor had a chance to make the play, just as Mendoza had to operate under increasingly difficult circumstances once the Raiders began turning to their backups in the second quarter.
The offensive line offered him little protection. Mendoza was sacked twice in the second half and spent much of the night throwing with defenders closing around him. That pressure helped explain his ragged first-half numbers — 5-of-9 passing for only 38 yards — and made it difficult for him to establish any rhythm.
Mendoza finished 7-of-14 passing for 57 yards.
Still, quarterback competitions are often decided as much by who avoids losing the job as by who emphatically wins it. Cousins provided calm and control. Mendoza supplied another reminder that, for all his promise, he remains a rookie navigating the mistakes and growing pains the Raiders signed Cousins to absorb.
Thursday night did not necessarily reveal which quarterback has the brighter future.
It may have confirmed which one is better prepared for the present.
Mike Washington Jr. continues to make his case
With the Raiders still holding their breath over Ashton Jeanty’s sprained ankle, Mike Washington Jr. continued doing everything he could to lower their anxiety.
The fourth-round rookie out of Arkansas punctuated an impressive preseason Thursday night by rushing eight times for 49 yards — an average of 6.1 yards per carry. That pushed his preseason total to 168 yards on 23 attempts, a striking 7.3 yards per carry.
Yes, much of Washington’s production came against backups. But eventually, production demands attention, regardless of who is lined up on the other side. Washington repeatedly displayed the combination of size, burst and power that persuaded the Raiders to invest a fourth-round pick in him.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (30) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) AP Photo/David Becker
More importantly, his success appears transferable. Washington runs decisively, gets downhill quickly and has enough speed to turn a crease into a substantial gain. He has not merely collected yards; he has consistently looked like an NFL running back.
That matters considerably while Jeanty’s immediate availability remains uncertain.
Washington cannot replace everything Jeanty brings to the offense, nor should the Raiders expect him to. But if Jeanty misses time, Washington has shown enough to give them confidence he can handle a meaningful portion of the workload without forcing the offense to dramatically change course.
In the short term, he looks capable of serving as a sturdy replacement. In the bigger picture, Washington may establish himself as something even more valuable: a powerful, complementary running mate who can lessen Jeanty’s workload and give the Raiders a potentially formidable one-two punch for years to come.
Wide receivers remain missing in action
Kubiak spent much of the preseason prodding the Raiders’ wide receivers, challenging them to create separation, execute their assignments and establish themselves as dependable pieces of the offense.
Against the 49ers, they once again failed to answer the call.
The Raiders’ receivers were largely invisible Thursday night. They did not consistently separate from coverage, make their presence felt or produce the kind of explosive play that might have changed the complexion of the offense.
Or Kubiak’s evaluation of the room.
It has become a recurring theme throughout the offseason.
Yes, the Raiders operated with vanilla game plans designed to reveal very little about what Kubiak intends to run during the regular season. And inconsistent quarterback play and shaky pass protection did the receivers few favors. But basic route-running, separation and playmaking ability should still emerge, regardless of how much of the playbook is being used.
Instead, the Raiders reached the end of the preseason without anyone emphatically seizing a prominent role.
That does not mean the receivers are incapable of contributing once Kubiak unveils the full offense. But after repeatedly challenging the group to step forward, the coach received few convincing answers. At some point, continued invisibility becomes more than a preseason footnote. It becomes a roster concern.
Fortunately for the Raiders, they hold the first waiver claim after finishing last season with the NFL’s worst record. That gives them the first opportunity to claim any eligible player waived during the league-wide roster reduction.
Given what their wide receivers showed — or failed to show — this summer, it would hardly be surprising if the Raiders used that advantage to add another option on cutdown day.
Sean McVay has not officially announced who the Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback will be for the 2026 season, but on Thursday night he told the world with his actions.
McVay has made a career out of bubble-wrapping players he expects to matter when the games count. So after Bennett strengthened his case by leading four scoring drives and rushing for two touchdowns in Saturday’s 34-0 demolition of the New Orleans Saints, keeping him in street clothes Thursday felt less like another chapter in the competition and more like the punctuation mark at the end of the sentence.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Simpson entered Thursday having completed 29 of 37 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns during the preseason, including a dazzling 21-of-25 debut against Kansas City. Bennett finished his preseason work 23 of 37 for 219 yards through the air while adding two rushing touchdowns.
Simpson’s start also opened the door for Matthew Caldwell to finally see the field. The undrafted rookie finished his college career at Texas after previous stops at Troy, Gardner-Webb and Jacksonville State, throwing for 3,135 yards and 22 touchdowns across 32 games. Caldwell went undrafted in April before signing with the Rams and could become a practice-squad developmental option.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks with referee Shawn Hochuli during warmups before a preseason game at SoFi Stadium. Getty Images
McVay still hasn’t publicly named his quarterback depth chart.
But sometimes a coach says more with the players he doesn’t put on the field, than the ones he does.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Will Howard #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 27, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason is officially behind them, and we are full steam ahead to the 2026 regular season. Before the Steelers take on the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium in week one, the team must cut its roster from 90 men to 53 over the weekend. The deadline for teams to cut their rosters down to 53 men is Sunday, August 30th at 6 p.m.
With the preseason now over, the Steelers will begin their roster cuts to get down to their initial 53-man roster on Sunday. This thread will be updated throughout the weekend to provide the most up-to-date report of who the Steelers decide to cut loose, so be sure to follow along between now and Sunday evening to know exactly when cuts happen as the Steelers’ roster takes shape.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 27: Dillon Gabriel #6 of the Cleveland Browns calls a play during the first quarter of a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Huntington Bank Field on August 27, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Third preseason games don’t matter, but it’s still fun to watch the Cleveland Browns dominate a game and pile on some stats for guys trying to get plays on tape. It was all Cleveland against the Patriots in a 37-13 victory. Let’s get to the full game recap.
1st Quarter – Browns vs. Patriots
The Browns received the opening kickoff, as QB Dillon Gabriel came on to the field. He orchestrated an opening-drive touchdown, finishing it with a playaction pass to WR Luke Floriea, who stayed in bounds along the boundary for the 6-yard touchdown to put Cleveland up 7-0.
The Patriots gave the start to QB Tommy DeVito, and he found WR Kyle Williams open down the left sideline for a 45-yard touchdown, as CB D’Angelo Ross appeared to lose track of the ball. That tied the game up at 7-7.
The action continued on the next drive. Gabriel hit WR Gage Larvadain over the middle for 21 yards, and later WR Ben Patterson for 19 yards. On 2nd-and-6 from the 14 yard line, Gabriel found Floriea again in stride for 14 yards and another touchdown to make it a 14-7 game.
The Patriots went three-and-out on their next drive, and then Gabriel started the next drive by rolling to his left and finding Patterson, who caught the defensive back flat-footed for a catch-and-run of 52 yards. That helped set up a 35-yard field goal by K Andre Szmyt to put the Browns up 17-7.
QB Behren Morton came on for the Patriots. On his first pass, he tried to hit a tight end who was busy blocking, so it hit the back of his leg and bounced in the air. LB EastonMascarenas-Arnold tipped it in the air and came down with the interception to wrap up the opening quarter.
Gabriel went three-and-out for the first time on the day, but the Browns were still in field goal range. Szmyt hit from 47 yards out to put the Browns up 20-7.
After Morton’s first series lasted one play, his second one lasted 14 plays and 7:13 of clock. DE Khordae Sydnor registered his third sack of the preseason in the red zone, though, which helped force New England into a 26-yard field goal to cut the Browns’ lead to 20-10.
On Gabriel’s next drive, he moved the ball again, and nearly gave Floriea the hat trick for what was initially ruled a 16-yard touchdown pass. However, replay review showed that the throw was low and just barely touched the ground for an incomplete pass. A few plays later, Gabriel still found RB Ahmani Marshall for a 7-yard touchdown for a 27-10 lead.
S Donovan McMillian came up with an interception after the two-minute warning, but the official threw a flag for pass interference on him. Replays showed that it was a bad call and the interception should have counted. The defense still held tight to close out the half, holding New England to a 33-yard field goal to make it a 27-13 game.
3rd Quarter – Browns vs. Patriots
The Patriots began the half, but could only get to midfield before having to punt. That punt was run backward by Larvadain, back to the 2 yard line, for QB Taylen Green’s first drive. Green’s only chance to do anything was on 3rd-and-long, and his scramble fell just short of a first down.
The Browns punted, and then New England punted right back to Cleveland, with the drive starting at the 2 yard line again. Green really got to show off his legs on the drive, including running around in his own end zone and then taking off for 30 yards. Between that, and a mix of short passes, Cleveland finished the third quarter near a goal-to-go situation.
A few plays into the quarter, RB Davon Booth got the handoff and executed a spin move to dodge a defender and walk into the end zone for the 8 yard touchdown and a 34-13 lead.
On Green’s next drive, he got into New England territory again, but had his first incompletion on a third down pass that sailed over the receiver, leading to a punt.
The Patriots went for it on 4th-and-2 in their own territory, and Morton was picked off by LB Justin Jefferson, returned to the 12 yard line.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Will Howard #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by Keonta Jenkins #49 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of a preseason game at Highmark Stadium on August 27, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially wrapped up exhibition play with a 28-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and will now begin cutting their roster from 90 to 53.
One of the biggest names on the roster bubble is second-year quarterback Will Howard. The Ohio State product finished the preseason with two touchdowns to three interceptions in his first stretch of NFL action. However, he was also sacked three times against the Buffalo Bills, and appeared to be banged up at the end of the first half, which was confirmed after the game.
Per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Howard went to the medical staff and was being evaluated for an injury. The specifics of the injury are unknown.
It remains to be known whether or not the Steelers will keep four quarterbacks, something that is incredibly rare to see. However, if they deem Howard’s injury to be severe, he could end up on IR to start the season.
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!
Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard (17) avoids a tackle Buffalo Bills defensive back Maxwell Hairston (31) during the first quarter at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Buffalo Bills 28-27 in their 2026 preseason finale. After jumping out to a 14-3 lead early in the first quarter, Bills quarterback Shane Buechele led a game-winning touchdown drive to give Buffalo the win. More importantly, we got to see pivotal performances from some players who had to make their final impressions before teams cut down to a 53-man roster this Sunday.
Let’s take a look at who improved their stock, and who hurt theirs during the Steelers preseason finale.
Stock up:
WR Germie Bernard
After being held without a catch on his lone target last week, Bernard made the most of his one catch by scoring a first-quarter touchdown in the Steelers preseason finale. Bernard took a screen pass and made a move on former first-round pick Maxwell Hairston on his way to the end zone. Bernard has shown great ability after the catch throughout the preseason and will likely have a role with the starters at some point during his rookie season.
KR Kaden Wetjen
I’ll be completely honest here, when I was drafting this piece up during the second half I had penciled in Kaden Wetjen under the “stock down category.” Not five minutes after I did so, Wetjen made the play of the preseason with a 45-yard punt return touchdown. The rookie fourth-round pick went backwards on two of his punt returns in the first half and had struggled throughout the preseason until that moment. That play all but secures Wetjen a roster spot as the Steelers’ primary return man.
OT Max Iheanachor
The Steelers’ 2026 first-round pick made his long-awaited NFL debut after missing a few weeks with a shoulder/neck injury. Iheanachor was almost immediately blown by and gave up a sack on his first series on the field. Later, the rookie was flagged on a very questionable call for a hold.
In the second half, Iheanachor made a phenomenal downfield block to clear the way for rookie running back Eli Heidenreich to stroll into the end zone. For limited reps in a debut, Iheanachor showed serious promise, and given the struggles by the Steelers’ starting line this preseason, he could become a starter sooner rather than later.
Stock down:
QB Will Howard
Will Howard threw his third interception of the preseason in the first half on what was clearly a miscommunication between Howard and his tight end Lake McRee. Whether Howard or McRee is more at fault is unclear, but Howard’s sloppy handling of the ball will almost certainly cost him the backup job. Pocket presence also seems to be a major area of concern for Howard. Too many times in this game, Howard either did not step up in the pocket and get sacked, or tried to extend the play for too long and got sacked. The second-year quarterback did throw two touchdowns early in the contest after being put in favorable positions due to a muffed punt and a shanked punt by Buffalo. Howard’s future with the Steelers will be dependent on whether or not the team decides to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
RB Kaleb Johnson
After pacing the team in carries last week touched the ball just five times for 11 yards in this contest. After solid performances by Lew Nichols and Eli Heidenreich, any glimmer of hope for Johnson to make the roster may have dissipated. The 2025 third-round pick will be in danger of being cut when rosters are finalized by Sunday at 6 p.m.
OT Dylan Cook
Read into this how you will, but Dylan Cook started this game at left tackle despite being slated to start at right tackle this season. It was Broderick Jones starting at right tackle. Cook did end up playing some at right tackle, and even played into the second half. It seems like the Steelers are at least considering the idea of not starting Cook to begin the season. Given Cook’s struggles throughout preseason and Iheanachor’s solid debut, it seems to only be a matter of time before Cook loses his starting spot.
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!
LAS VEGAS — And with that, the Raiders and 49ers go their separate ways.
They will meet again in Week 9, but they leave the preseason headed toward vastly different destinations, burdened by vastly different expectations.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks to throw a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on Aug. 27, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The 49ers are pursuing a Super Bowl. The Raiders are searching for the foundation upon which they might eventually build one.
That difference was never more apparent than Thursday night, when the two former Bay Area neighbors met in each team’s preseason finale against the glistening backdrop of the Las Vegas Strip, visible just beyond the lanai doors of Allegiant Stadium.
It was an appropriate setting.
Las Vegas is built on risk, chance and the uncertainty of what comes next. And that provided an especially fitting metaphor for two teams making decidedly different wagers on the season ahead.
While the 49ers protected nearly every player essential to their championship hopes, the Raiders played most of their starters.
It’s why Kirk Cousins opened the game at quarterback, lined up behind the Raiders’ starting offensive line, and why Mac Jones, not Brock Purdy, was under center to start the game alongside the 49ers’ second-string offensive line.
For one team, the risk of playing key players outweighed whatever might have been gained.
For the other, there was still too much work to be done and too many questions to be answered.
The 49ers did not need one more preseason game to determine who they are. The Raiders are still very much trying to figure out their identity.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) AP Photo/John Locher
The 49ers enter the season carrying the weight of championship expectations while trying to steer through storm clouds that began gathering before the games even counted.
Kyle Shanahan’s car accident and Jed York’s arrest created an unsettling backdrop around the organization. On the field, Nick Bosa had not practiced since Aug. 3, while Christian McCaffrey missed time because of tightness. Injuries have already complicated the journey, creating questions about whether the 49ers can remain intact long enough to reach the destination they have spent years chasing.
Taken individually, each development might be manageable. Together, they have created an unmistakable sense of turbulence around a franchise that entered the season expecting stability and carrying Super Bowl-or-bust expectations.
There will be concern. There will be scrutiny. There may even be moments when the challenges seem greater than the 49ers anticipated.
But there can be no excuses.
Not anymore.
Las Vegas Raiders center Trey Zuhn III (66) prepares to snap the ball against the San Francisco 49ers defense during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on Aug. 27, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The 49ers have been knocking on the door long enough. They have assembled one of the NFL’s most talented rosters, played in two Super Bowls under Shanahan and come painfully close to winning both. They have suffered through enough near-misses to understand how quickly a championship window can begin to close.
At some point, potential has to become achievement. Close has to become complete.
For all the talk about the character, leadership and standard the 49ers represent, those qualities must now lead them through the turbulence. A standard matters most when it is tested. Leadership is most valuable when circumstances threaten to pull a team off course.
This is the moment for the 49ers’ strongest voices — and most established players — to steady the room.
Their season cannot become a daily accounting of who is unavailable or what went wrong. The injuries are real, and their impact cannot be dismissed. But every team eventually encounters adversity. The championship teams are the ones that absorb it without allowing it to alter their destination.
The 49ers’ mission is clear: survive the early storms, remain within striking distance and position themselves to finish the job.
The Raiders’ journey is far less certain.
They are beginning again with a new head coach, a reshaped roster and the uncertainty that accompanies any legitimate rebuild. They are trying to determine which players will still be part of the operation when its most important pieces are finally in place.
More immediately, they must decide when Fernando Mendoza should take control of it.
As the first overall pick in the NFL draft, Mendoza represents more than another young quarterback trying to earn playing time. He is the future face of the franchise and, the Raiders hope, the player capable of finally bringing stability to a position that has lacked it for far too long.
The question is not whether the Raiders will eventually turn the offense over to him.
It is when.
There is value in allowing Mendoza to watch, learn and develop behind Cousins. There is also value in letting him experience the speed, pressure and consequences of the NFL for himself. No amount of sideline observation can completely replicate the education that comes from standing in the pocket with a defense bearing down on you.
That leaves the Raiders facing a delicate balancing act.
They cannot rush Mendoza simply to satisfy the impatience that naturally accompanies the arrival of a No. 1 pick. But they also cannot allow caution to become an excuse for delaying the inevitable. At some point, protecting his development will require letting him play.
The Raiders must be honest about the team surrounding him. Can the offensive line protect him? Are there enough dependable receivers to support him? Is the running game strong enough to keep every third down from becoming his burden?
These are not merely questions about whether Mendoza is ready for the NFL. They are questions about whether the Raiders are ready for Mendoza.
The preseason finale offered a snapshot of where both organizations stand.
The 49ers could afford to hide their most important players away because their identity is established and their objective is unmistakable.
The Raiders needed their starters on the field because evaluation remains part of nearly everything they do. Jobs are being won. Roles are being defined. A depth chart is still being shaped around a long-term vision that remains under construction.
Now they separate.
The 49ers move forward with the urgency of a team whose opportunity is here and may not remain open forever. The Raiders move forward with the patience, and inevitable growing pains, of a team trying to create an opportunity of its own.
Then, in Week 9, their paths will cross again.
The Raiders will return to the Bay Area for the first time since leaving Oakland, bringing an emotional undercurrent that will make the game about more than the standings. By then, the questions surrounding both teams may have very different answers.
Will the 49ers have weathered the storms and emerged as the championship contender they expect to be? Or will injuries and accumulated frustration have pushed another promising season toward the edge?
Will the Raiders still lean on Cousins or will Mendoza have assumed control of the franchise’s future? Will they look like a team making real progress or one still searching for its footing?
Thursday night marked the end of the preseason and the beginning of their separate journeys.
Week 9 will reveal just how far each has traveled.
Jul 29, 2026; Rochester, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady (right) speaks with general manager Brandon Beane during training camp at St. John Fisher University. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Buffalo Bills have begun releasing players to reduce their 91-man summer roster down to the initial 53-man roster mandated by the NFL for Week 1 of the regular season. The moves Buffalo’s front office needs to make in order to be compliant must be completed by Sunday, August 30 at 6 p.m. EDT.
Every NFL team’s 53-man roster is a constantly moving target, given the nature of the game. So while a player may not make it onto the Bills’ initial 53-man roster for Week 1, a release now doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the road for many of these guys. There’s always potential for a player to return to Buffalo as part of the team’s practice squad.
Add in the unfortunate injury reality, and it’s worth keeping a lot of the names below fresh in your mind as the season goes on. It’s one of the toughest points of the season for front offices and coaches, where it’s less about parting ways due to inability and more about choosing carefully due to roster constraints.
Will Buffalo’s leadership group headed up by president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane make the right moves that take them over the hump? The oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook believe that to be true, currently listing the Bills with the best odds of making the playoffs in the AFC (-330), and the second-best odds (+1000) of winning Super Bowl LXI.
Those are pretty lofty expectations for a team being led by a first-time NFL head coach in Joe Brady and a first-time NFL defensive coordinator in Jim Leonhard. The reason those odds exist is because of quarterback Josh Allen.
Buffalo Bills’ current roster
Quarterback Josh Allen Kyle Allen Shane Buechele
Running Back James Cook III Ray Davis Frank Gore Jr. Ty Johnson Ben VanSumeren (FB) Ian Wheeler
Wide Receiver Skyler Bell (R) Keon Coleman Stephen Gosnell Mecole Hardman Jr. Ja’Mori Maclin (R) DJ Moore Joshua Palmer Dante Pettis Khalil Shakir Tyrell Shavers (Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform) Trent Sherfield Quentin Skinner Max Tomczak (R)
Tight End Jackson Hawes Dalton Kincaid Dawson Knox Keleki Latu Shane Zylstra
Offensive Tackle Spencer Brown Dion Dawkins Chase Lundt Jude Bowry (T/G) Tylan Grable (T/G)
Interior OL Lloyd Cushenberry (C) Sincere Haynesworth (C) Alec Anderson (C/G) Connor McGovern (C/G) Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C/G) Nick Broeker (G) Bruno Fina (G) (R) Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G) O’Cyrus Torrence (G) Da’Metrius Weatherspoon (G) Austin Corbett (G/C)
Defensive Line DeWayne Carter Travis Clayton (International Pathway Program) Zane Durant (R) Greg Gaines Landon Jackson Zion Logue Phidarian Mathis Ed Oliver T.J. Sanders Deone Walker
Outside Linebacker/Edge Rusher Bradley Chubb Mike Danna Cade Denhoff (R) Michael Hoecht Andre Jones Jr. TJ Parker (R) Greg Rousseau
Inside Linebacker Joe Andreessen Terrel Bernard Jimmy Ciarlo Kaleb Elarms-Orr (R) Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Reserve/Injured) Theron Gaines Keonta Jenkins Otis Reese IV Dorian Williams
Cornerback Dee Alford Christian Benford Te’Cory Couch Jordan Dunbar (R) Sam Franklin Jr. Maxwell Hairston Jordan Hancock Davison Igbinosun (R) Anthony Kendall D.J. Miller Toriano Pride Jr. (R) Dorian Strong (Reserve/Non-Football Injury) Kani Walker (R)
HENDERSON, NEVADA - MAY 02: Keyron Crawford #42 of the Las Vegas Raiders attends a news conference after the team's rookie minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on May 02, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The preseason is all about avoiding injuries, and, for the most part, the Las Vegas Raiders had good luck this summer on the medical front.
However, they may have an issue as third-round pick, defensive end Keyron Crawford was injured late in the third quarter of Thursday night’s preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers at home.
The auburn product appeared to get injured while trying to make a play. He went straight to the blue medical tent and then was taken on a cart to the locker room minutes later. He had his left shoe off. He was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak didn’t have an update on Crawford after the game. Time will tell if Crawford will miss any time in the regular season.
Crawford showed a good motor in the preseason and had a sack shortly before being injured. He is projected to be a backup this season. If he is hurt, it could create room for Patrick Johnson or Cian Slone, who both looked good in the preseason.
Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (10) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The best thing about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills is that it’s now over.
I’m only kidding. Sort of.
The Steelers closed their preseason with a 28-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills. With this being the final exhibition contest, it also marked the final chance for several players to show they are worthy of a roster spot. Of course, a lot of the attention would be on the quarterback position, as Will Howard and Drew Allar were once again the only two quarterbacks to take the field.
Despite Howard throwing a pair of interceptions in Week 2 against the New York Jets, he was the starter to close out the preseason, which started with a sack on the first play of scrimmage for the offense. The Steelers punted after a three-and-out, but were bailed out by a muffed punt from Bills running back Ray Davis. On the ensuing play, Germie Bernard took a screen pass 13 yards for a touchdown, making cornerback Max Hairston miss in the open field on his way to the end zone.
The Steelers got another break on special teams, as Bills punter Mitch Witchnowski shanked a punt, setting the Steelers up inside the 30 yard-line. Five plays later, Lake McRee took a short pass and dove over Bills defenders into the end zone for a five yard score.
And while Howard had a pair of touchdowns to his name in the box score, his play was subpar, to say the least. While facing pressure, he went 2-of-4 for a net of -7 yards and three sacks. He also threw his third interception of the preseason on a ball that looked as if it was intended for Bills safety Damar Hamlin. And while it looked as if there was a miscommunication between quarterback and receiver, three interceptions in exhibition play is incredibly difficult to defend. Howard ended his day going 9-of-15 for 69 yards and the aforementioned two touchdowns and interception.
Drew Allar led a touchdown-scoring drive to open the second half. An 11-play, 68-yard drive saw Allar go 3-of-4 for 34 yards, including a 25 yard completion to Max Hurleman, and was capped off with a nine-yard touchdown run by Eli Heidenreich. The touchdown run featured a great lead block by rookie right tackle Max Iheanachor, who led the way for Heidenreich and cleared a path for him at the goal line.
The play of the night, though, came once again from the Steelers’ special teams unit. After a slow night, Kaden Wetjen took a punt 45 yards for a touchdown to put the Steelers up 27-17, showing exactly why the Steelers felt comfortable spending a fourth-round pick on him.
The Bills would come back and score 11 unanswered points to take a 28-27 lead. Pittsburgh had a chance to drive downfield to kick a potential game-winning field goal, but turned the ball over on downs after three incompletions, leading to the 28-27 loss. Allar finished the night 9-of-18 for 88 yards.
While the main focus was on the offense and the quarterback play, multiple defenders did all they could to put on good final impressions. Devan Boykin led the team with nine tackles, and D’Shawn Jamison had a pair of tackles for loss and broke up a pass. Julius Welschof also netted a pair of tackles for loss and a sack, while Anthony Goodflow and Kevin Jobity each registered a sack a piece. Robert Spears-Jennings continues to impress, and it will be very hard to see him not get a spot on the 53-man roster. Elandon Roberts picked up where he left off against the Jets and looks keen to get on the field in Week 1.
Offensively, Hurleman finished the evening with three catches for 50 yards, and Lew Nichols closed out an impressive summer by leading all Steelers rushers with 40 yards on seven carries.
With the preseason now over, the Steelers will begin making their final roster cuts down to 53 before getting ready to officially open their season against the Atlanta Falcons. To keep up with every cut, be sure to follow along with our roster tracker between now and Sunday night when final cuts must be made.
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!
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders received the bulk of the playing time at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns as they battled for the starting job across the team's first two preseason games.
In preseason Week 3, it was Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green's team to run the show after Todd Monken named Watson Cleveland's starter.
Gabriel, a third-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, was granted the chance to start. It was a critical opportunity for the 25-year-old, who had struggled in mop-up duty across his first two preseason contests.
Gabriel capitalized on the chance afforded to him. He led the Browns offense to 27 points while demonstrating great rhythm and accuracy across one half of action. Entering Thursday's action, Cleveland had only scored 17 total points across its previous two preseason games.
Here's more to know about Gabriel's outing against the Patriots, including a grade for his performance.
Dillon Gabriel grade for preseason start in Browns vs. Patriots
Gabriel put together a strong performance against the Patriots, one that will likely help him lock down the Browns' third-string quarterback job ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
Gabriel looked much more comfortable in the pocket than he did across his first two preseason outings. He was in rhythm throughout the evening, routinely finding open receivers and hitting them with accurate passes at all levels of the field.
Gabriel was particularly impressive when throwing to the intermediate portion of the field. On one occasion, the lefty was able to hang in the pocket amid pressure and hit Ben Patterson breaking open over the middle of the field.
Dillon Gabriel right on the money to Ben Patterson 🎯
"Obviously a difficult situation. You know, I have so much love and respect for the York family, for Jed, for Danielle, John, and Denise and Jenna and Mara − they've just been tremendous to me and my family," Lynch said. "I thought Kyle said it well. It's a real personal situation. We're going to leave it as such."
Lynch echoed head coach Kyle Shanahan, who also told reporters it was "personal" after San Francisco's Aug. 25 practice.
York reached a plea deal that saw his charges of "engaging in prostitution" – a misdemeanor – reduced to disorderly conduct misdemeanor charges. Additionally, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of possessing criminal tools.
The NFL is looking into potential punishment for York, reviewing the matter under terms of its personal conduct policy, which states a "higher standard" for owners.
It only took one possession for veteran play-by-play man Al Michaels to get into midseason form during Amazon Prime Video's preseason "Thursday Night Football" broadcast.
The broadcast was coming back from a commercial after the Browns opened the game with a touchdown from Dillon Gabriel to Luke Floriea. It showed an aerial shot of Huntington Bank Field, which abuts Lake Erie.
Michaels used that opportunity to crack a joke about U.S. president Donald Trump's order to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" amid an ongoing trade dispute with Canada.
"That is Lake Erie. We think it is still called Lake Erie – we're not quite sure at this point," Michaels said. "But we'll be by Lake something like Ontario or whatever it's going to be called by the time we get to Buffalo. Anyway, you know what I'm talking about, some of you do. Read the news."
Al Michaels: "That is Lake Erie. We think it is still called Lake Erie... We're not quite sure at this point. But we'll be by Lake something like Ontario or whatever it's going to be called by the time we get to Buffalo. Anyway, you know what I'm talking about... Read the news." https://t.co/95yBtkta2Upic.twitter.com/zqOHbR7sST
With a full slate of NFL football on deck, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 27, here are my NFL moneyline picks for Week 3 of the preseason.
Let's navigate these murky waters together, break down the quarterback battles, and find our edges in my this week's NFL picks.
Week 3 preseason NFL moneyline picks
Matchup
Pick
Result
PIT vs. BUF
58%
NE vs. CLE
57%
SF vs. LV
60%
LAR vs. LAC
40%
WAS vs. BAL
59%
ATL vs. MIA
65%
HOU vs. CAR
45%
TB vs. JAX
58%
NYG vs. NYJ
60%
CIN vs. PHI
56%
ARI vs. GB
55%
SEA vs. KC
48%
NO vs. DAL
58%
MIN vs. DEN
71%
DET vs. IND
63%
CHI vs. TEN
57%
Lines courtesy of Kalshi as of 8-27.
Start trading with Kalshi today!
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS35' and trade $25 on any event contracts — including NFL preseason — to get $35!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/336/kalshi.svg" alt="Kalshi" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
Buffalo Bills' Kyle Allen will likely get significant run in the final week of the preseason after he went 10 of 12 for 128 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Will Howard and Drew Allar will go for the Pittsburgh Steelers; those two totaled 144 yards with two interceptions and four sacks against the New York Jets. I'm placing my money on the vet.
It was all Shane Buechele in this one, as Allen - despite reports saying the contrary - sealed up QB2 duties last week. Regardless, the pick was sound, as he outplayed Howard and Allar. His two-point conversion was the cherry on top.
Neither Deshaun Watson nor Shedeur Sanders will play in this game, leaving me to side with Tommy DeVito, who's thrown for 289 yards and two touchdowns across two weeks of the preseason. Easy money here.
Chalk me up as one of the guys who got killed by Aidan O'Connell's final drive against the Houston Texans a week ago — I won't make that mistake again, especially when the San Francisco 49ers will likely remain cautious with their starters before the season.
Stetson Bennett IV has the inside track on Ty Simpson to win the QB2 battle, but both will get their final chance to make a name for themselves in Week 3. On the other side, don't expect many starters to play for the Los Angeles Chargers, and I'll take the Los Angeles Rams' depth every time.
Kevin Stefanski said Atlanta Falcons starters will be seeing some reps as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. However, Tua Tagovailoa will be behind center in the first quarter. Jeff Hafley confirmed Quinn Ewers will get a ton of work, but the lack of depth for the Miami Dolphins is concerning, so we'll ride with the Falcons.
Kenny Pickett was 15 of 25 last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars and will likely get the most run with Bryce Young and Haynes King sidelined before the regular season. C.J. Stroud will play a series but leave most of the work to Davis Mills, who couldn't move the ball whatsoever a week ago. I'll throw my belief in Pickett to give us a cushion.
We won't be seeing Baker Mayfield in this one; it feels like Jake Browning might be playing for his job against Jalon Daniels, who was getting snaps ahead of Browning in Tuesday's joint practice. That competition should bear fruit this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars' backups.
John Harbaugh didn't say whether or not Jaxson Dart will play, but in Jameis Winston we trust, nonetheless. The three-quarterback rotation for the New York Jets didn't do much of anything behind Geno Smith last week, so I'll give the New York Giants the benefit of the doubt here.
With the Green Bay Packers likely sitting their starters here, I'm relying on Gardner Minshew for the Arizona Cardinals, who's been throwing the ball pretty damn well in the preseason. He's thrown just six incomplete passes on 39 attempts alongside two touchdowns and a pick. We'll ride with him against the Packers' bench.
With Patrick Mahomes unlikely to play and the combo of Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe throwing virtually every pass for the Seahawks in the preseason, I'm all over Seattle in this spot. Lock has been solid over two weeks, too, completing 21 of 27 passes for 134 yards. Don't overthink this one.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it - the Cowboys have been a cash cow for us in the preseason with Joe Milton at the helm. With him looking to lock up QB2 duties, I'm sticking with Dallas.
Head coach Robert Saleh has trotted Cam Ward out there each week so far in the preseason, and we'll likely see him one more time against the Chicago Bears. With serviceable quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Will Levis waiting in the wings, I'll take that depth one more time.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PIT
BUF
NE
CLE
SF
LV
LAR
LAC
WAS
BAL
ATL
MIA
HOU
CAR
TB
JAX
NYG
NYJ
CIN
PHI
ARI
GB
SEA
KC
NO
DAL
MIN
DEN
DET
IND
CHI
TEN