Sunday’s preseason action ended up being a tale of two very different games. The first one, between the Lions and Colts, was nap-inducing. The second, with the Chargers welcoming the Seahawks to their new digs in Los Angeles, was actually fun as hell to watch.
The 9 best moments from Sunday’s NFL preseason action
There were only two games, but they gave us a lot to talk about.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
The Lions won the first game handily, beating the Colts in Indianapolis with a final score of 24-10. The Colts defense got off to a good start as linebacker John Simon intercepted Matthew Stafford on the Lions’ first possession. But beyond that, the Indianapolis defense just looked outmatched, and the offense didn’t get into the end zone for the first time until there was, seriously, just one second remaining in the game.
The second game was a high-scoring affair, which is unusual in the preseason. It was also a high-turnover affair, which is maybe a little less unusual for the preseason. The Seahawks defense came away with three, and the Chargers added a pick in the second half. It felt like the Seahawks were getting into the end zone every couple of minutes, and the truth wasn’t that far off. They clobbered the Chargers, 48-17.
It was definitely still exhibition football. But there were entertaining moments in each game, mostly for the right reasons. Let’s count them down for you.
9. The Colts finally scored a touchdown
It took Indianapolis 59 minutes and 59 seconds to score a touchdown. The Colts finally got there on this 1-yard run from Troymaine Pope. Bless their hearts.
8. A badly botched handoff
The Chargers didn’t do a great job of taking care of the ball on Sunday night. This fumble, which happened when Andre Williams acted like he had no idea he was supposed to actually take the handoff from backup Kellen Clemens, was one of four turnovers for Los Angeles in the 31-point loss.
7. Travis Benjamin takes one to the house
Benjamin underachieved a bit last season as he fought through a knee injury. Based on this touchdown, he looks healthy now — and fast.
6. Kenny Golladay was the star of the Lions offense on Sunday
Golladay, a third-round pick this year out of Northern Illinois, made a strong impression in his NFL debut. He went off with three catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns. This was his second score:
5. Golladay’s first touchdown was even better
He’s big enough and strong enough that he’s going to present problems for just about any defender. Yes, it’s preseason, but Golladay looks like he might be quite the draft steal for Detroit.
4. A Seahawks pick-six
Clemens, who is trying to hold off Cardale Jones for the backup quarterback job, got his one of his passes tipped. Seattle’s Terence Garvin happily took advantage. The Seahawks turned three of Los Angeles’ four turnovers into scores, including this one:
3. Paul Richardson’s diving catch
Richardson wasn’t playing like this game didn’t matter. He went all out to haul in this catch. The bad news is that Richardson injured his AC joint. He’ll be sidelined for a while, coach Pete Carroll said after the game, according to the News Tribune’s Gregg Bell.
2. Philip Rivers hits Antonio Gates for a TD
Rivers and Gates have been playing together since Rivers’ rookie season in 2004. The chemistry they’ve built over the past 13 years showed on this 5-yard touchdown. Incidentally, it was the Chargers’ first touchdown since the team’s move to Los Angeles.
1. Seahawks dance party
Sure, there were some thrilling plays and big moments in Sunday’s games. But let’s be honest: These were still meaningless preseason games. That makes this celebration of Garvin’s pick-six easily the best moment of the day:
See More:
