NFL EXHIBITION
PATRIOTS 19, PANTHERS 17
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tom Brady finally got on the playing field for an exhibition game Friday night.
Unfortunately for the New England Patriots, they may not see Brady in a meaningful game until Oct. 9 when they face the Cleveland Browns since the three-time Super Bowl MVP will serve a four-game suspension to start the season.
Brady was 3 for 9 for 76 yards in his preseason debut, throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hogan in helping the Patriots to a 19-17 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Brady relieved Jimmy Garoppolo late in the first quarter and completed a 37-yard pass to Aaron Dobson on his first play from scrimmage, leading to a field goal. On his second drive Brady heaved a perfectly placed over-the-shoulder pass to Hogan down the right sideline for a 9-0 lead. Brady's other two drives failed to produce points.
Brady made a quick escape after the game and did not talk to reporters.
"We've moved ahead in a lot of areas, but we're certainly not where we need to be," Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said. "I don't think any player is, any coach is, I'm sure no team is at this point. We're all making progress, which is good. We've just got to keep our foot on the gas and make it as quickly as we can."
While Brady had his moments, league MVP Cam Newton struggled in his most extensive playing time of the preseason. Newton was intercepted twice and the Panthers failed to get any points on his eight first-half possessions. Overall, the Panthers scored three points in 10 Newton-led drives.
The sixth-year quarterback was high on some passes and didn't get much help from his receivers, who had problems getting separation and dropped four passes, including one by Brenton Bersin on a fourth-and-2 at midfield.
Panthers Coach Ron Rivera said he was frustrated, but "if we lower our passes and catch the ball, then we are where we need to be."
Newton called the loss "eye opening."
"We need better production from everybody, including myself," Newton said. "I have to be more mature and check the ball down and let guys do what they do.
"We will be better from this."
Garoppolo, expected to start the first four games for the Patriots while Brady serves a suspension for his role in Deflategate, returned in the second quarter but couldn't get anything going.
In the third quarter he rolled out of the pocket while under pressure and missed an open receiver who had gotten behind the defense. His six drives resulted in no points, although Stephen Gostkowski missed a 30-yard field goal on the New England's opening possession.
"Overall, there were some good things we did tonight, but we have to get the little things corrected or they're going to bite us in the butt," Garoppolo said.
STEELERS 27, SAINTS 14
NEW ORLEANS -- Ben Roethlisberger torched New Orleans' defense for 148 yards and 2 touchdown passes on his first 2 series of this preseason, then got the rest of the game off while Pittsburgh rolled to a victory over New Orleans.
Roethlisberger, who sat out of the first two exhibition games, opened by leading a 14-play, 76-yard drive on which he converted two third downs and found tight end Jesse James for a 5-yard score. His next series was highlighted by his 57-yard scoring pass down the left sideline to Antonio Brown, also playing for the first time this preseason. The Steelers star finished with 12 completions on 17 attempts.
Pittsburgh running back Le'Veon Bell also made his preseason debut, gaining 21 yards on three carries, but his lost fumble in the second quarter -- forced by cornerback Delvin Breaux and recovered by linebacker Dannell Ellerbe -- led to Drew Brees' only TD pass. Brees' strike went to Willie Snead, who made a difficult juggling catch as he landed on his back following a collision near the back of the end zone.
Brees had a difficult night behind a struggling offensive line. It didn't help that starting left tackle Terron Armstead (Arkansas Pine-Bluff) left the field unexpectedly in the first half for undisclosed reasons. Brees completed 9 of 12 passes, but for only 78 yards. One of his better throws connected with newly acquired tight end Coby Fleener for 26 yards, but it was called back for holding on Armstead.
REDSKINS 21, BILLS 16
LANDOVER, Md. -- Kirk Cousins found a groove and undrafted rookie running back Robert Kelley made the most of his chance as Washington beat Buffalo in the third exhibition game.
With the Bills (1-2) resting almost their entire starting defense, Cousins overcame a rough start to finish 12 of 23 for 188 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception.
Despite coming mostly against Buffalo's second- and third-stringers, it was an important recovery for Cousins, who had thrown only five passes in the preseason and didn't play last week in an effort to test backup Colt McCoy.
Kelley ran for 51 yards on 12 carries in a personal showcase with Matt Jones and Chris Thompson out and after seventh-round pick Keith Marshall sprained his left elbow on his only carry of the game.
Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor played only two series, by Coach Rex Ryan's design, going 2 of 5 for 11 yards before being replaced by E.J. Manuel.
BUCCANEERS 30, BROWNS 13
TAMPA, Fla. -- Josh Gordon showed why Cleveland is so happy to have him back on the field.
The talented receiver with a history of suspensions for drug violations caught everything thrown his way in his preseason debut, scoring on a 43-yard reception and also hauling in another pass from Robert Griffin III for a 44-yard gain that led to a first quarter field goal in a loss to Tampa Bay.
Jameis Winston threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns in one half of work for the Buccaneers, who achieved an objective of starting faster on offense than they did the previous two weeks.
Griffin completed 8 of 14 passes for 119 yards, 1 TD and no interceptions before being replaced by Josh McCown at the start of the third quarter. Gordon was only targeted twice and finished with 87 yards receiving, both his catches coming when he beat cornerback Brent Grimes, one of Tampa Bay's key offseason acquisitions.
Gordon, whose preseason debut was delayed by a quadriceps injury, hadn't played since December 2014. He was suspended all of last season for violating the NFL's policy on substance abuse, and won't be eligible for the first four games of this regular season.
Sports on 08/27/2016