Murray's Vikings Debut

Murray's First Drive Sets the Tone in Minnesota

Murray took the field without top receiver Justin Jefferson, who sat out the preseason opener, according to Houston Chronicle. Despite the missing piece, Murray moved the first-team offense effectively enough to put points on the board. The drive ended in a field goal rather than a touchdown, but it gave Vikings fans their first real look at the team's new signal-caller in live action.

Minnesota held on to win 13-10, giving the team a positive start to the preseason. The final score was close, but the Vikings controlled enough of the game to come out on top. Murray's presence alone made the game one of the more-watched preseason matchups of the opening weekend.

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Dart Battles Through Concussion Scare to Score

Giants rookie Jaxson Dart had a rough night before his redemption moment. He was sacked twice in just six passing attempts and had to leave the game to take a concussion test, according to Seattle PI. After clearing the test, he came back in and made the most of his chance.

On the final play of the game, Dart hit rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields with a 15-yard touchdown pass. The score cut Minnesota's lead to just three points. It was a bright moment for a Giants team now operating under new head coach John Harbaugh, who was on the sideline for the first time as New York's coach, per Seattle PI.

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Bills Open $2.1 Billion Stadium Under New Coach Joe Brady

Thursday's preseason action was not limited to Minnesota and New York. The Buffalo Bills played their first game in their brand-new $2.1 billion stadium, according to WD Times. It was also the first game under new head coach Joe Brady, making it a historic night for the Bills franchise on two fronts.

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Watson Leads Browns Drives; Sanders Throws Interception

Elsewhere in the preseason, Deshaun Watson had a productive night for the Cleveland Browns. He led two scoring drives against the Chicago Bears, showing signs of life after his injury-shortened recent seasons, per The Messenger.

Cleveland still lost that game, however. In another preseason matchup, highly watched rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw an interception in the fourth quarter. Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, is one of the most closely followed players of the 2025 class. The pick was a reminder that the transition to the NFL takes time, even for top prospects.

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