NFL Preseason Recap – Sunday, August 24, 2025

In Saturday’s final Week 3 preseason games, NFL teams finished their preparations for the regular season. There were standout performances, roster battles, and an injury that might affect backup QB depth.

Key Takeaways

Texans Cruise Past Lions, 26-7 Houston’s backup team ruled Detroit from the very beginning. QB Davis Mills threw two touchdowns. The Texans’ defense forced three turnovers, scoring 14 points. They held the Lions to just one field goal. Rookie RB Dameon Pierce showed his speed with 65 yards on 12 carries. This boosts his chances for a third-down role.

Broncos Beat Saints, 28-19 Denver relied on rookie QB Jarrett Stidham. He threw two touchdowns in the first half, leading to the win over New Orleans. RB Jaleel McLaughlin contributed 74 rushing yards. The Saints’ offense had a slow start until late. Rookie WR… Trey Benson’s 45-yard catch proved insufficient in the loss.

Packers Rally to Beat Seahawks, 20-7 Green Bay’s backups staged a comeback in the fourth quarter against Seattle’s reserves. QB Jordan Love guided a 65-yard drive. He ended it with a TD pass to Romeo Doubs, tying the game. Then, Anders Carlson kicked a field goal to seal the win. S Josiah Deguara recorded two sacks in relief.

Dolphins Beat Jaguars, 14-13. Miami’s defense stood out. Rookie CB Tyson Campbell picked off Trevor Lawrence late in the fourth quarter. Backup QB Skylar Thompson threw a 12-yard touchdown to Durham Smythe in the second quarter. This score was key, even with Jacksonville’s field goal on their last drive.

Injury Report

• Aidan O’Connell (Raiders) –strong> – The second-string QB exited Saturday’s 20-10 loss to Arizona with a fractured right wrist. He’s set to miss 6–8 weeks. This puts third-string rookie Cam Miller in the running for the backup spot behind Jimmy Garoppolo.

Standout Performers

What’s Next

With preseason action complete, teams face roster cutdowns by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. The regular season kicks off on September 7, highlighted by the Chiefs at Patriots on NBC. Depth charts are almost ready. Saturday’s performances gave coaches key insights into backup roles and special-team players.