NEW ORLEANS — Ben Roethlisberger torched New Orleans’ defense for 148 yards and two touchdown passes on his first two series of this preseason, then got the rest of the game off while the Steelers rolled to a 27-14 victory over the Saints on Friday night.
Roethlisberger, who sat out of the first two preseason 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 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.
The Saints have dropped all three preseason games.
Steelers backup Landry Jones went 19 of 22 for 206 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown pass to Sammie Coates. He also completed a 58-yard pass to Coates to set up Chris Boswell’s 40-yard field goal.
BUCCANEERS 30, BROWNS 13
TAMPA, Fla. — Josh Gordon showed why the Cleveland Browns are 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 Friday night, 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 30-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“It feels great,” said the third-year pro, a former college teammate of RG III. “I feel really good to be out there with my teammates, my brothers. It was uplifting.”
Jameis Winston threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns in one half of work for the Bucs, 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, one 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.
REDSKINS 21, BILLS 16
ANDOVER, Md. — In their first real chance to play together this preseason, Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins’ offensive starters showed plenty of rust and then progress in a 21-16 victory against the Buffalo Bills on Friday night.
With the Bills (1-2) resting almost their entire starting defense, Cousins overcame a rough start to finish 12 of 23 for 188 yards, three 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 was rested last week.
“We’re going to have slow moments or slow quarters at times, and the key is going to be to find a way to circle the wagons and regroup,” said Cousins, who started 3 of 9. “The body of work overall was pretty productive, but there were moments where it wasn’t as good as it needs to be, and we know that.”
Undrafted rookie running back Robert Kelley was the brightest spot for Washington (2-1), especially given the previous injuries to Matt Jones and Chris Thompson, and that seventh-round pick Keith Marshall sprained his left elbow on his only carry of the game.
“I definitely got some work in today, and I think it helped me out,” said Kelley, who ran for 51 yards on 12 carries. “Every time I get up there I try to put myself in a better situation to make the team, take advantage of the opportunity.”
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, who was 21 of 39 for 221 yards and an interception.
PATRIOTS 19, PANTHERS 17
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tom Brady appeared to be in regular season form Friday night.
Unfortunately for the New England Patriots, they may not see that form 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 looked sharp in his preseason debut though, throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hogan in helping the Patriots to a 19-17 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Friday night.
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.”