Preseason Finale Recap: Bills, Browns, 49ers and Rams All Win
Four teams closed the books on the 2026 preseason Thursday night, and each finale brought its own dose of late drama, breakout performances and a few bumps and bruises heading into final roster cuts.
Bills Rally Past Steelers in Final Minute
In Buffalo, the Bills rallied past the Steelers 28-27, scoring the winning touchdown and converting a two-point conversion with just 1:06 left. Pittsburgh led for much of the night behind quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar, who combined for touchdown passes to Germie Bernard, Lake McRee and Eli Heidenreich. Rookie receiver Kaden Wetjen provided the highlight of the night with a 45-yard punt-return touchdown, while linebacker Devan Boykin logged a team-high eight tackles. Buffalo answered with a long touchdown run before its game-winning drive sealed the finale.
Browns Backups Roll Past Patriots
Cleveland's backups made a statement in a 37-13 rout of New England. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was nearly perfect in the first half, going 12 of 15 for 186 yards and three touchdowns for a 157.9 passer rating while directing scoring drives on five of six possessions. Wideout Luke Floriea hauled in two of those scores. Second-half quarterback Taylen Green added 66 rushing yards and led a 98-yard touchdown drive, and rookie linebacker Justin Jefferson turned in a 36-yard pick-six. Kicker Andre Szmyt chipped in three field goals. Head coach Todd Monken picked up his first preseason win of the summer, and no significant injuries were reported.
49ers Edge Raiders on Late Field Goal
San Francisco outlasted Las Vegas 18-12 in a field-goal-heavy finale, with kicker Eddy Pineiro perfect on all six attempts, including a 54-yard game-winner with just eight seconds left. Raiders kicker Matt Gay answered four of five tries but couldn't match Pineiro down the stretch. Quarterback Adrian Martinez threw for 130 yards after Mac Jones started under center, and receiver Jordan Watkins added 64 yards on four catches. Las Vegas rotated Kirk Cousins with rookie Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell throughout the night.
The 49ers finished the preseason 2-1, and both teams now face the task of cutting their rosters to 53 players by Sunday. San Francisco opens the regular season Sept. 10 against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Rams Win 'Battle of LA' Over Chargers
The Rams topped the Chargers 29-22 in the "Battle of LA" at SoFi Stadium. Third-string quarterback Bryce Perkins threw two touchdowns to Lance McCutcheon, who piled up 87 yards on five catches, including a 60-yard score, and Perkins also ran for a touchdown himself. Chargers quarterbacks Chase Daniel and Easton Stick each moved the ball well, but a fourth-quarter interception by Daniel Isom on a pass intended for Michael Bandy sealed the win with 27 seconds to go.
The lone injury concern of the night came late, as Rams defensive tackle Bobby Brown left the game with a right ankle injury and was unable to put weight on it.
What's Next
With the preseason now complete across the league, all four franchises turn their attention to trimming rosters ahead of Week 1, with final cuts due by Sunday.
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