Las Vegas rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a difficult outing on Thursday, as the Raiders fell 18-12 to the visiting San Francisco 49ers in their preseason finale.
The No. 1 overall pick this year, Mendoza finished 7-for-14 for 57 yards, with one interception and two sacks.
Veteran Kirk Cousins got the start for the Raiders (1-2), completing 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards and orchestrating two early drives that ended in field goals.
Ten field goals were made in the contest; San Francisco’s Eddy Pineiro was perfect, hitting six attempts including a 59‑yard, a 51‑yard and a 54‑yard kick, while Las Vegas’ Matt Gay converted four of five, with a season‑long 53‑yarder.
Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. led the ground attack with 49 yards on eight carries.
San Francisco backup Mac Jones saw action for two series, completing just one of five passes for seven yards; starter Brock Purdy did not appear.
Bills 28, Steelers 27
With 1:06 left, Ian Wheeler scored a two‑yard touchdown and Dante Pettis caught the ensuing two‑point conversion from Shane Buechele, capping Buffalo’s comeback victory over Pittsburgh in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Shane Buechele started the whole preseason finale for the Bills (3‑0), finishing 26‑of‑38 for 196 yards.
Buffalo took a 14‑3 lead after the first quarter, but Pittsburgh (1‑2) grabbed a 27‑20 advantage midway through the fourth before the Bills rallied.
Buffalo’s regular starter Josh Allen did not play, having appeared in only one preseason contest — two series against the Carolina Panthers on August 15.
Bills wide receiver Skyler Bell hauled in seven catches for 49 yards and scored on a 28‑yard rush; Frank Gore Jr. carried ten times for 27 yards and added five receptions for 45 yards.
Pittsburgh left Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines for the preseason, so Will Howard took the first‑team snaps, going 9‑of‑15 for 69 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Drew Allar saw action in the second half, finishing 9‑of‑18 for 88 yards; Steelers running back Eli Heidenreich led the team with ten carries for 35 yards and a touchdown, while receiver Max Hurleman grabbed three passes for 50 yards.
Browns 37, Patriots 13
Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel was 12‑of‑15 for 186 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Browns to a dominant 37‑13 victory over New England in the final preseason matchup for both squads.
Gabriel opened the scoring with a six‑yard pass to wide receiver Luke Floriea. After New England answered with a touchdown drive, he hit Floriea again from 14 yards out. Later, a seven‑yard completion to Ahmani Marshall gave Cleveland a 27‑10 lead with 2:32 left in the half.
Browns’ fourth‑string quarterback Taylen Green rushed for 66 yards on eight carries in the second half to lead all ground gainers, and added 27 yards through the air on five‑of‑seven passing.
New England (1‑1‑1) handed the ball to Tommy DeVito, the ex‑Giants quarterback, who played two series and found Kyle Williams for a 45‑yard touchdown. DeVito finished 2‑of‑4 for 55 yards, while Kyle Dixon led the team with eight receptions for 71 yards.
New England’s starting quarterback Drake Maye, along with Cleveland’s top passers Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, all sat out the contest.
