Orchard Park
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater need not rush back from injury after Case Keenum showed glimpses of being a capable backup in the Minnesota Vikings' 17-10 preseason-opening win over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
Taking over for starter Sam Bradford, Keenum went 11-for-16 for 121 yards. The sixth-year player engineered a pair of scoring drives — both set up by passes to rookie receiver Stacy Coley.
The Vikings signed Keenum in April as insurance with Bridgewater still recovering from a serious left knee injury suffered a year ago.
The Bills' starting defense was stout in two series, while their offense struggled moving the ball under new coach Sean McDermott. Jerry Hughes and backup defensive end Eddie Yarborough each sacked Bradford, who played just two series.
Buffalo starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor played three series and was 5-for-8 for 46 yards.
Jaguars 31, Patriots 24: Chad Henne hit Keelan Cole on a 97-yard touchdown pass, Corey Grant scored on a 79-yard run and Jacksonville feasted on a New England lineup without Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski — or much defense at all — to beat the defending NFL champions. Jimmy Garoppolo completed a Brady-like 22 of 28 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
Dolphins 23, Falcons 20: Now the NFL's highest-paid running back, Devonta Freeman looked the part in a brief appearance, scoring on a 15-yard reception from Matt Ryan as Atlanta lost to Miami. Freeman, who agreed to terms Wednesday on a $41.25 million, five-year contract extension, scored to cap the Falcons' first preseason possession.
Ravens 23, Redskins 3: Ryan Mallett struggled in place of injured quarterback Joe Flacco, throwing for only 58 yards while playing the entire first half, and Baltimore beat Washington in a sloppy preseason opener.
Browns 20, Saints 14: Myles Garrett showed flashes of dominance in his exhibition debut, and Cleveland rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer threw a late touchdown pass.
Packers 24, Eagles 9: Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz went 4-for-4 for 56 yards and a score on his first series, before Philadelphia turned over the ball three times in the second quarter, allowing Green Bay to win.
Broncos 24, Bears 17: Chicago QB Mitchell Trubisky completed 18 of 25 passes for 166 yards and a TD in a loss to Denver.