NFL preseason results and scores 2015: Tom Brady starts, Jimmy Garoppolo uneven in loss to Packers

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady did in fact play in Thursday's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, and he survived the game without incident. He didn't look great or anything, playing in two series and attempting just four passes, but we can confirm he can still, in fact, throw a football.

Jimmy Garoppolo's performance is much more interesting, because he's still a question mark. Garoppolo will start the regular season if Brady serves his suspension as the NFL hopes, and he saw plenty of playing time in Thursday's game. It was an up-and-down performance overall, but he did show some good things.

Johnny Manziel took some reps with the starters in training camp, and while the Browns insist that Josh McCown is the starter, it's still noteworthy. On Thursday, Manziel got a lot of playing time and looked solid, not at all like a guy who spent time this offseason in rehab. He had this going for him on Thursday:

Unfortunately for Washington, there are also injuries to Logan Paulsen (toe) and Jordan Reed (hamstring) to consider. Paul is the starter, and he wound up being relieved by Je'Ron Hamm, a player who spent time on the practice squad last season. Hamm also left the game with an eye injury. Finally, running back Silas Redd left the game with a sprained right knee and had to be carted off the field. He will undergo an MRI to check for an ACL/MCL tear.

Then there's wide receiver Pierre Garcon, who is a solid player, and one of Robert Griffin III's top targets. The quarterback certainly looked for him on Thursday, and even found him in wide open field, calling for the reception with a surefire touchdown at the end of it. It's the first game of the preseason, though, and ... well, there might be a little bit of rust that needs shaking off at this stage:

Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate has really come into his own since joining the team. He plays opposite Calvin Johnson and that's done wonders for him, as he caught 99 passes for 1,331 yards and four touchdowns last season. On Thursday against the New York Jets, he got things started off on the right foot:

As you can see, the Jets player going after him near the end zone is actually taking a pretty decent angle. He might even be giving up on the play a bit earlier than he should (and probably wouldn't do that in the regular season, it's worth noting). Whatever the case, Tate is absolutely positive that he has this 35-yard touchdown from Matthew Stafford and isn't even a little concerned with possibly being tackled before making it into the end zone.

• New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe both went down with injuries early against the Baltimore Ravens and left the game. Browner was carted off, Ellerbe went to the locker room under his own power.
• Washington safety Duke Ihenacho sustained a right arm contusion and was questionable to return, as reported by Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
• Lions offensive lineman Darren Keyton went down with a knee injury and had to be carted off the field, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Patriots players Trey Flowers, Darryl Roberts and James White all sustained injuries on Thursday. White looks like he took a hard shot to his knee, Roberts appeared to sustain some kind of wrist injury and its unclear why Flowers went back to the locker room.
• Chargers guard Johnnie Troutman did not return to the game after hurting his right arm.
• Dallas running back Gus Johnson scored the Cowboys' only touchdown, but the undrafted rookie left the game after separating his shoulder.

The Lions have to be pleased with what they saw of the starting offense -- Matthew Stafford completed both of his passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, including the 35-yard strike to Tate mentioned above. Then there was Ameer Abdullah, who put up a 45-yard run and looked impressive. For the Jets, rookie Bryce Petty is the most interesting player since Geno Smith was injured. He completed 10-of-18 passes for 50 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Aside from Brady playing at all and Garoppolo having an up-and-down game, running back Jonas Gray managed a 55-yard touchdown run for the Patriots. It was a solid game for their starters on defense, who prevented Aaron Rodgers from scoring a touchdown. Rodgers wound up playing on three drives, and he finished completing 11 of 19 passes for 117 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Baltimore Beatdown recap | Canal Street Chronicles recap

New Orleans' offense looked OK even with Drew Brees sitting out the preseason opener. Ryan Griffin and Luke McCown combined for a couple of touchdowns. But on defense, they got out to a slow start, allowing the Ravens to march 80 yards in 16 plays on the opening drive. That drive ended with a Lorenzo Taliaferro touchdown. Taliaferro finished with 12 carried for 36 yards and said touchdown. Matt Schaub had a touchdown pass and Joe Flacco completed 5 of 6 passes on the opening scoring drive.

Chicago Bears 27, Miami Dolphins 10

Biggest cheers thus far at Soldier Field? The halftime dog Frisbee tricks.

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 14, 2015

GIF: Dog eternally chasing frisbee #HalftimeShow pic.twitter.com/dgiz4JM6Kj

— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) August 14, 2015

Tony Romo didn't see the field and Philip Rivers played just one series, but anyone (looking at you, PFT Commenter) on the Danny Woodhead comeback watch was rewarded almost immediately when the gritty running back ran up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown on the Chargers' first drive. Branden Oliver also scored a rushing touchdown. First-round pick Melvin Gordon got six carries, but he managed just 11 yards.

Byron Jones, Randy Gregory, La'el Collins & Damien Wilson have all made standout contributions in their first-ever action with the Cowboys.

— David Helman (@HelmanDC) August 14, 2015

So, it was good start for second-round pick Randy Gregory, who is out to prove that he should have been a first-rounder.