NFL Preseason Week 3 Winners and Losers

The third and final week of the 2025 NFL preseason opened with a Thursday night doubleheader that was followed by a quartet of Friday night games. The action picked back up on Saturday afternoon.

Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Brent Sobleski and Moe Moton provided winners and losers for all of the Week 3 preseason games so far. Check back for updates as the preseason winds to a close.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Cardinals EDGE Jordan Burch

Score: Cardinals 20, Raiders 10

Winner: EDGE Jordan Burch, Cardinals

The Cardinals have to sort out the pecking order among their edge-rushers behind big-time free-agent acquisition Josh Sweat. Burch should be in the rotation, though the coaching staff may increase his workload after a strong showing against the Raiders.

Burch recorded two tackles, two for loss, which included a strip-sack that forced a turnover. Edge-rusher BJ Ojulari's uncertain timetable to return from a torn ACL will allow room for the rookie third-rounder to make an impact off the edge this year.

Loser: Raiders Backup Quarterbacks

After Geno Smith's opening touchdown drive, neither Aidan O'Connell nor Cam Miller led the offense to the end zone. O'Connell fumbled and left the game early because of a wrist injury. Miller took multiple sacks and struggled with his accuracy, completing 50 percent of his passes.

Aside from Miller's decent preseason debut, the Raiders' backup signal-callers have been underwhelming in three exhibition games. According to The Athletic's Tashan Reed, O'Connell will miss six to eight weeks with a fractured wrist.

Las Vegas should be in the market for a backup quarterback. Miller isn't ready to take over the No. 2 spot.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

49ers CB Darrell Luter Jr.

Score: 49ers 30, Chargers 23

Winner: CB Darrell Luter Jr., 49ers

Luter provided solid coverage and came downhill to make plays against the run. He finished with five tackles (three solo) and a pass breakup as a standout defender against the Chargers, who moved the ball fairly well in stretches.

A 2023 fifth-rounder on the 49ers' roster bubble, Luter could be the fourth outside cornerback behind Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green and Dallis Flowers and a core special teamer. 

Loser: WR Luke Grimm, Chargers

Last week, Grimm showed promise as a punt returner with a 66-yard play for a touchdown, but he followed up with two muffs that resulted in turnovers. Even worse, the 49ers scored touchdowns on both takeaways. 

An undrafted rookie out of Kansas, Grimm needed to showcase his skill set as a valuable special teamer. His rough outing in San Francisco likely ruined any possibility of him making the Chargers' roster.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Jason Behnken

Buccaneers WR Tez Johnson

Score: Buccaneers 23, Bills 19

Winner: WR Tez Johnson, Buccaneers

Johnson may have claimed a roster spot with his performance. He hauled in eight passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. Aside from his eye-catching highlight plays, the rookie seventh-rounder showcased his shiftiness when he turned a short pass at the line of scrimmage into a short gain.

In easily his best preseason outing, Johnson made a strong case to round out the Buccaneers' depth at wide receiver. He can crack the regular-season rotation with Jalen McMillan headed to injured reserve because of a neck injury.

Loser: S Shilo Sanders, Buccaneers 

In the biggest lowlight of the game, Sanders threw a punch at Bills tight end Zach Davidson, and the referees ejected him. He was battling for a back-end roster spot on special teams or a place on the practice squad.

Though Sanders seemed like a long shot to make the Buccaneers' roster, he may have hurt his chances of landing anywhere else with a boneheaded decision in his final preseason audition for the league.

Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon II

Score: Dolphins 14, Jaguars 6

Winner: RB Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins

Gordon put an exclamation point on a strong preseason. He logged eight carries for 43 yards as the featured tailback. Albeit against mostly backups, the rookie sixth-rounder continued to play at a level that could elevate him to the No. 2 spot on the Dolphins' running back depth chart.

Even if Gordon enters the season as the No. 3 option in Miami's backfield, he could see significant work as De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright nurse injuries.

Loser: Right Side of Dolphins Offensive Line

The Jaguars' backup defenders beat left tackle Larry Borom and James Daniels multiple times, forcing Tua Tagovailoa to take sacks in the first quarter. Borom could be a fill-in starter for Austin Jackson, who's recovering from a lower leg injury. Miami signed Daniels to a three-year, $24 million deal this offseason.

Given Tagovailoa's extensive injury history, he should be concerned about his blind-side pass protection heading into Week 1 of the season.

Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Packers QB Sean Clifford

Score: Packers 20, Seahawks 7

Winner: LB Isaiah Simmons, Green Bay Packers

Isaiah Simmons, a 2020 first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, is fighting just to make the Green Bay Packers' active roster. After largely underwhelming during camp and in the early preseason, he finally made a positive impression in the finale.

As Peter Bukowski of the Locked on Packers podcast noted, Simmons looked "like a different player" this week.

Simmons flashed quickness and physicality on both defense and special teams, finishing with six tackles. If he doesn't make Green Bay's final 53, he'll get another opportunity in the coming days.

Loser: QB Sean Clifford, Green Bay Packers

After spending most of last season on the practice squad, 2023 fifth-round pick entered camp looking to secure the QB3 role ahead of undrafted rookie Taylor Elgersma.

Elgersma, a product of Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, is raw but has intriguing physical upside. Clifford did nothing to suggest that his experience makes him worth keeping over the rookie.

The two understudies alternated series after backup Malik Willis exited. Elgersma actually appeared to be more decisive in the pocket at points in Saturday's game, flashed more arm talent and threw his first touchdown pass. Clifford (6-of-9 for 19 yards) looked like a physically limited passer who

Los Angeles Rams vs. Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

Browns 19, Rams 17

Winner: Browns QB Dillon Gabriel

We know that Joe Flacco will start the season-opener against Cincinnati for the Browns, and Flacco was solid Saturday against the Rams, completing nine of 10 passes and throwing a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

However, the No. 2 quarterback job in Cleveland remains up for grabs, and rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel to stake his claim to the spot. Gabriel followed Flacco into the game, completing 12 of 19 throws and leading the Browns on an 86-yard drive in the two-minute drill that culminated in a scoring strike to Gage Larvadain.

Loser: Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

The Rams opened this game with their fourth-string quarterback and a bunch of players who will be working at Olive Garden in two weeks—so there's not much to glean from that.

But while one rookie quarterback for the Browns shined on Saturday, the other…um…yeah.

Now, the performance of Shedeur Sanders against Los Angeles carries that caveat that he was playing with third and fourth-stringers. But he was also playing against third and fourth-stringers, and after Cleveland marched up and down the field in the first half, the Sanders-led offense posted all of two yards in the third quarter.

Those struggles continued into the final period, and the game ended with Sanders in the locker room.

There's a real chance he's cut Tuesday.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Colts WR Laquon Treadwell

Colts 41, Bengals 14

Winner: Colts WR Laquon Treadwell

It's not easy to take much away from Saturday's preseason finale between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals—both teams sat their starters in what wound up being a sloppy, lopsided affair.

With that said though, veteran wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, who was a first round pick by the Minnesota Vikings all the way back in 2016, made a case to make Indy's 53-man roster.

The 30-year-old reeled in all six of his targets against the Bengals, piling up 116 yards and catching a 59-yard strike for six from rookie quarterback Riley Leonard.

Loser: All Things Bengals

Again, this was a game played by reserves, so it isn't quite big red button time in the Queen City.

But it has been an ugly preseason for the most part for the Bengals, and Saturday it ended with a jumbo meal of yuck with a side of stinky poo.

The only thing that went right for the Bengals in this game is that it ended. The defense was porous. The offense was atrocious. Backup quarterback Desmond Ridder was eight-of-20 for 75 yards and a passer rating of 30.2. Against scrubs.

To be fair, Ridder did throw a touchdown pass—to Colts safety Daniel Scott.

Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton

Broncos 28, Saints 19

Winner: Broncos Passing Game

There were two prevailing schools of thought in the final week of the preseason. One was teams sitting all their starters. The other was giving the first-team more "dress rehearsal" snaps ahead of the start of the regular season.

The Denver Broncos took Door No. 2 in Saturday's game against the Saints—and the first-team offense looked ready for Week 1.

As he has been throughout the preseason, Denver quarterback Bo Nix looked sharp, completing 10 of 14 attempts for 110 yards and a touchdown. Four of those passes went to No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton, who had 83 yards and that score from 19 yards out.

Loser: Saints Quarterbacks

There is just one quarterback battle left unresolved in the NFL—the duel between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough to be the Week 1 starter for the Saints.

If the preseason finale was any indication, the winner of that battle should be none of the above.

Rattler drew the start, completing five of eight attempts for a whopping 43 yards. Then he gave way to Shough, who somehow managed to average even fewer yards per attempt, passing for 102 yards on 12 completions in 20 attempts.

Shough did run for a touchdown, but Saints head coach Kellen Moore can't be happy about the decision he has to make. It's choosing between the electric chair or the gas chamber.

Either way, you're dead.

Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa

Texans 26, Lions 7

Winner: Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa

Not a lot went right for the Lions in Saturday's blowout loss to the Houston Texans, but the fantastic preseason from rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa ended on the same note it began—a high one.

TeSlaa, who the Lions traded up to select in the third round of April's draft, found the end zone for a third time in as many games—this time a pretty over-the-shoulder grab from 33 yards out.

There's no question that TeSlaa will make the team. The question now is how big a role he will have offensively out of the gate.

The Lions appear to have a new No. 3 receiver.

Loser: Texans Run Game

The Houston ground game is in shambles heading into the regular season. Starter Joe Mixon missed the entire summer with a bad foot and may start the season on the PUP list. Nick Chubb looks a lot like last year, and that ain't good. Rookie Woody Marks has failed to impress.

That run game continued shambling Saturday. Neither Marks nor Dameon Pierce gained more than 3.2 yards per carry. The Texans rushed for 150 yards as a team, but it took 38 carries to do so.

C.J. Stroud with no run game playing behind arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL…

What could go wrong?

Baltimore Ravens vs. Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Ravens CB Jalyn Armour-Davis

Score: Ravens 30, Commanders 3

Winner: Ravens Backup CBs

The Ravens' defense finished last season ranked 31st in passing yards allowed. Baltimore responded by signing cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander this offseason. With Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey still in the fold, T.J. Tampa and Jalyn Armour-Davis are competing for rotational roles and roster spots.

With most starters sitting against Washington, Tampa and Armour-Davis both got chances to shine. Tampa had a terrific pass breakup deep downfield on a drive that ended in a missed field goal. Armour-Davis ended the next Commanders drive by picking off a tipped pass.

Tampa and Armour-Davis both helped their chances of making the team and should make the Ravens feel pretty good about their cornerback depth.

Loser: QB Sam Hartman, Washington Commanders

Saturday's opener provided an opportunity for backups and bubble players to make one final impression. Unfortunately, second-year quarterback Sam Hartman didn't make a great one. His first interception came off a tipped pass, but his second was the result of a poor decision—the pass went straight into the hands of rookie Ravens corner Keyon Martin, who returned it for a touchdown.

After spending most of last season on Washington's practice squad, Hartman was hoping to stick to the active roster behind Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Even with Mariota rehabbing a lower-leg strain, it'll probably be back to the practice squad for Hartman.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Jets

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

New York Jets safety Malachi Moore

Score: Eagles 19, Jets 17

Winner: S Malachi Moore, New York Jets

The Jets reinforced their secondary this April with the third- and fourth-round draft picks of cornerback Azareye'h Thomas and safety Malachi Moore. Thomas dealt with a shoulder injury during camp. Moore, meanwhile, was the best player on the field Friday for Gang Green.

Moore was all over the field against the Eagles, with seven total tackles, a tackle for loss, a defended pass and an interception. This year's 130th overall pick presents the type of ball skills and instincts the Jets previously lacked in their defensive backfield.

Loser: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Philadelphia Eagles

Preseason contests are good indicators of what direction a team is leaning when it comes to its lineup. As an example, the Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter Jr. received plenty of first-team reps throughout training camp. However, a healthy Jihaad Campbell has taken the starting spot next to Zack Baun.

Campbell didn't dress Saturday, while Trotter was in the lineup, signaling Philadelphia's plans for Week 1.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer

Score: Titans 23, Vikings 13

Winner: QB Max Brosmer, Minnesota Vikings

Brosmer has been the talk of Vikings training camp, as an undrafted free agent quarterback who looks like he belongs in the NFL. He added to the argument during Friday's performance against the Titans, where he completed 65 percent of his passes for 161 yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, veteran Brett Rypien was efficient by completing 50 percent of his passing and throwing an interception. Brosmer earned a spot at Minnesota roster, either as QB3 or possibly even QB2.

Loser: RB Kalel Mullings, Tennessee Titans

Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are set as the Titans' first- and second-string running backs. A trio of ball-carriers were still competing for that third spot when Friday's contest back.

Unfortunately, Mullings, whom Tennessee drafted in this year's sixth round, suffered a leg injury while blocking during a kickoff return. He needed to be carted from the sideline.

The team's other options, Jemar Jefferson and Julius Chestnut, combined to average 6.9 yards per attempt.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Nick Nash

Score: Cowboys 31, Falcons 13

Winner: WR Nick Nash, Altanta Falcons

Nash was viewed as too old and too slow to be worthy of a draft selection even though he does exactly what a wide receiver needs to do, which is get open and catch the football.

The 26-year-old undrafted rookie continues to show he can be a legitimate target within the Falcons offense. During Friday's contest, Nash led all receivers on both sides with six receptions for 87 yards.

Last year's FBS leader among wide receivers in receiving yardage has the makings of a viable power slot in the Falcons' offense.

Loser: Cowboys running backs

The Cowboys had to renovate their running back room this offseason and did so with the free-agent additions of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, as well as the the draft selections of Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah.

Through three preseason games, the Cowboys still don't know exactly what they have at running back. Williams and Sanders combined to play 11 total snaps. Meanwhile, Blue, who has showed a ton of promise, left Friday's game with an ankle injury.

This group should have been highlighted more during exhibition season to ensure they hit the grounding running once games matter.

Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia

Score: Bears 29, Chiefs 27

Winner: OG Kingsley Suamataia, Kansas City Chiefs

The left side of the Chiefs' offensive line still had significant question marks entering the squad's third preseason contest. First-round left tackle Josh Simmons has looked every bit the part of a premium blindside protector and continued to do so. Left guard wasn't settled, though.

Suamataia had been shaky through his first two preseason performances, particularly in pass protection. Granted, he had never started at guard going back throughout his collegiate career. His final effort prior to the start of the regular season proved to be far more promising, thus securing his status as a starter along the interior.

Sometimes patience is needed with young blockers, and the 22-year-old looks to be blossoming in his new role.

Loser: Bears defense

The Bears defense folded against the Chiefs' first-team offense. Chicago surrendered 193 offensive yards during Friday's first quarter. With Mahomes behind center, Kansas City scored on each of its first three possessions.

To be fair, the group wasn't at full strength with defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon not in the lineup. Still, the Chiefs offense remains the league's standard and the Bears didn't perform well during this particular litmus test.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Panthers S Lathan Ransom, left, and Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell

Score: Steelers 19, Panthers 10

Winner: S Lathan Ransom, Carolina Panthers

While neither the Steelers nor the Panthers played a full complement of starters on Thursday, a few players managed to pop. Rookie safety Lathan Ransom was among them.

The fourth-rounder picked off Mason Rudolph early in the second quarter and returned the ball into Steelers territory. It wasn't a good throw by the quarterback, who appeared to miss the rookie lurking in coverage. However, it was a great reaction and return by the Ohio State product.

Ransom, who also flashed with a couple of hard hits and five total tackles, has been competing with Demani Richardson and Nick Scott for the starting spot next to Tre'von Moehrig. Thursday's performance should put him a step closer to seeing the regular-season playing field.

Loser: Steelers' Week 1 Readiness

Preseason games don't count, and when starters sit, sloppy play often ensues. However, there probably isn't a world in which Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is happy with Thursday's operation.

While players such as Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt sat out Pittsburgh's preseason finale, several starters were on the field for a team that was not in midseason form. We saw avoidable mistakes—like an unnecessary roughness call on Jalen Ramsey and a too-many defenders call in the red zone—and too many miscues overall. In total, the Steelers were flagged 13 times for 104 penalty yards.

Tomlin has a lot to clean up between now and Rodgers' Pittsburgh debut.

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

Giants QB Tommy DeVito

Score: Giants 42, Patriots 10

Winner: Giants Quarterbacks

For the third straight week, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart (81 passing yards, 1 TD, 23 rushing yards) was the Giants' preseason highlight. It's worth noting all of New York's quarterbacks looked comfortable while leading an offense that racked up more than 400 yards.

Projected Week 1 starter Russell Wilson didn't play, but Dart, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito all threw touchdown passes.

DeVito threw three of them and might generate some trade interest before the August 26 cutdown day. After dealing with arguably the league's worst QB situation over the last two years, head coach Brian Daboll has to feel a lot better about his depth at the position now.

Loser: Past Giants Draft Picks

Jalin Hyatt did catch a touchdown pass from Winston. However, he had two ugly drops before the score that reminded everyone why the 2023 third-round pick has struggled to make an impact.

The Tennessee product has the speed to separate, but he struggles to catch balls with any consistency. Both of the passes he dropped on Thursday were perfectly placed throws by Dart that should have resulted in big gains.

The touchdown might earn Hyatt a roster spot, but it's hard to envision him having a significant role for the Giants this season.

Meanwhile, 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal might not even make the roster. New York has moved him from tackle to guard in an effort to salvage his career, but he looked a step slow and was beaten repeatedly in pass protection on Thursday.