The 2011 NFL preseason schedule is almost over. We had 15 games on Thursday night and one game still to come on Friday night.
NFL Preseason Scores From All 15 Thursday Night Games
The final preseason game is usually one in which the starters play for a series or two, at most, and the backups come in trying to win a job. Cut down day is on Sept. 3 as teams go from 80 to 53 players on the roster so that game tape will decide plenty of players’ future.
Here’s a roundup of Thursday night’s action:
QB Matthew Stafford and Co. are moving to the regular season after an impressive preseason.
QB Peyton Manning goes through the preseason without taking a snap. QB Kerry Collins' performance on Thursday night wasn't pretty so Indy fans are hoping Manning is ready.
Baltimore Lions 21
Atlanta Falcons 7
This could be a Super Bowl preview. If it is, the Ravens are champs.
The Rams have looked decent in preseason and have a shot win the NFC West. Same goes for the Jaguars in the AFC South.
Once again, Cowboys backup QB Stephen McGee looks solid completing 21-of-25 passes. Dolphins QB Matt Moore was sharp, too, competing 9-of-11 passes.
This was a battle of backups but the Giants scored 15 fourth quarter points on a fake punt and a fumble return to take the win.
The only problem I have with this game is that it didn’t come in the regular season with all the starters playing. Two of the best teams in the NFL here.
We thought QB John Beck had a shot at the Redskins starting QB job but he started the game on Thursday night and QB Rex Grossman sat. Usually, the backup plays and the starter sits.
The Steelers rested a few key players but QB Cam Newton drove the Panthers down the field, completing 3-of-5 passes including his first touchdown pass to TE Jeremy Shockey.
Most of the Bears starters sat but WR Johnny Knox caught a touchdown pass closing the gap between he and WR Roy Williams.
The Packers first team offense played about a series while the Chiefs played many of their starters into the fourth quarter. The game ended when Chiefs K Ryan Succop couldn’t hit a 56-yarder to win it.
Rookie QB Christian Ponder completed 10-of-17 passes for 83 yards but also rushed for 61 yards in a blowout over Houston. He's trying to secure the backup quarterback job behind QB Donovan McNabb.
Impressive game from rookie QB Jake Locker -- 15-of-17 for 132 yards and a touchdown. Plus three rushes for 39 yards. He won't become the starter this year but he's the future.
So is it QB Tim Tebow or QB Brady Quinn as the backup? Tebow looked decent completing 7-of-11 passes for 116 yards and a 43-yard touchdown passes. Quinn looked worse completing just 4-of-12 passes for 26 yards and an interception.
RB Frank Gore sat in this game after signing his big deal. This was the final preseason game of the night.
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