The Detroit Lions slogged to a 14-3 preseason loss on Thursday night in soggy New York to the Giants. Playing almost no players who will see the field for meaningful reps in 2024, Detroit dropped the first exhibition game.
How did the rest of the Lions division, the NFC North, fare in its preseason week games?
Chicago Bears
The Bears slaughtered the Bills, 33-6, in Buffalo in what was Chicago’s second exhibition game; Chicago opened the preseason in the Hall of Fame Game a week earlier.
Rookie QB Caleb Williams played the first two drives for Chicago and led the Bears to two field goals, completing four of his seven passes. Former Lions RB D’Andre Swift managed just three yards on his one carry but did pull down a 42-yard catch-and-run reception. Chicago rested some starters on defense but had the projected first-team offense on the field for two drives.
The Bears defense took out some aggression on former teammate Mitchell Trubisky, who was one of three Buffalo QBs under constant pressure from the Chicago pass rush all night. Rookie EDGE Austin Booker bagged 2.5 sacks in his Bears debut.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay went into Cleveland and ran away with a 23-10 victory over the Browns on Saturday evening. The Packers ran out most of the starting lineup for the opening drive, and they didn’t get much work; Jordan Love hit Dontayvion Wicks for an easy 61-yard touchdown on the game’s third play.
Nothing fancy about the route, just a slot fade that Wicks add a stutter to, creating all the hesitation he needs from the DB. pic.twitter.com/Yo9YNLZRTs
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) August 10, 2024
The Packers had 11 different players register rushing attempts and receptions in the game, which devolved into a snoozefest with the deep reserves for both teams in after halftime.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings edged past the Las Vegas Raiders in what was the most closely contested game of the weekend. Rookie kicker Will Reichard drilled a 38-yard field goal as time expired to give Minnesota the home exhibition win.
First-round QB J.J. McCarthy played extensively for Minnesota and looked very good. The Michigan product completed 11 of his 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, also throwing an interception. Both teams played most of their starters for the first few drives, though McCarthy technically isn’t the starter (yet) in Minnesota, with Sam Darnold still above him on the depth chart. The Raiders won the first half, 20-7.