Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, August 28, 2026
Bills Rally Past Steelers 28-27 on Buechele's Late Two-Point Conversion
The Buffalo Bills rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-27 Thursday in the preseason Week 3 opener at Highmark Stadium. Quarterback Shane Buechele engineered the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, capping it with a two-yard touchdown run by running back Ian Wheeler and a pivotal two-point conversion pass to Dante Pettis that proved to be the difference. The Steelers held the lead entering the final minutes but could not protect it. With the regular season opener set for September 9, both clubs now turn their full attention to Sunday's 53-man roster cutdown deadline.
Sources: Pittsburgh Steelers
Packers RB Josh Jacobs Charged With Misdemeanor Battery in Domestic Incident
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property following a domestic incident at his Village of Hobart home on May 23, Brown County court records show. The charges, filed Thursday, stem from a physical confrontation with his girlfriend. Jacobs, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal with Green Bay in 2024, faces two Class A misdemeanor counts, each carrying a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine. His initial court appearance is scheduled for November 11. The Packers released a statement acknowledging the charges.
Seahawks Lock Up Defensive Tackle Leonard Williams on Three-Year, $90 Million Extension
The Seattle Seahawks have locked up three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Leonard Williams on a three-year, $90 million extension that includes $56 million guaranteed, a league source told the Associated Press on Thursday. Williams, 32, was entering the final year of his contract with Seattle. He has recorded 22.0 sacks, 34 tackles for loss, and 61 quarterback hits in 43 games with the Seahawks since arriving midway through the 2023 season. The defending Super Bowl LX champions secured one of their most important defensive pillars ahead of a season opener at home against the New England Patriots on September 9.
Sources: NBC Sports Pro Football Talk
Dillon Gabriel Throws Three Touchdowns as Browns Rout Patriots 37-13
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw three touchdown passes and led a dominant first half Thursday as the Browns routed the New England Patriots 37-13 in their preseason Week 3 finale. Gabriel started and directed the offense through the first two quarters before Taylen Green took over and orchestrated a 98-yard touchdown drive in the second half. New England rested its starters throughout the game. The Browns' offense showed consistency across both halves, totaling more than 300 yards on the night. Both teams finalize their 53-man rosters ahead of the Sunday, August 30 deadline before the regular season begins September 9.
LaFleur Brothers Make NFL History in Packers-Cardinals Preseason Finale
The Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals meet Friday at Lambeau Field in one of the most unusual matchups in NFL preseason history — a game between brothers serving as opposing head coaches. Matt LaFleur, the Packers' head coach since 2019, faces his younger brother Mike LaFleur, who was named Arizona's head coach in February 2026 after three seasons as offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams. The pair become only the fourth set of brothers to serve simultaneously as NFL head coaches, joining Jim and John Harbaugh, Jon and Jay Gruden, and Al and Ted Nesser. Their parents attended the teams' joint practice Wednesday.
49ers Edge Raiders 18-12 in Preseason Week 3 Tune-Up at Allegiant Stadium
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 18-12 in their preseason Week 3 game Thursday at Allegiant Stadium, as both clubs used the final tune-up to evaluate depth players ahead of the regular season. Starters sat out for both teams. The 49ers outgained the Raiders 281 total yards to 275. Las Vegas enters cutdown weekend with additional roster uncertainty as running back Ashton Jeanty continues to recover from a sprained ankle sustained in practice last week. San Francisco is also managing depth at receiver following Ricky Pearsall's season-ending PCL surgery earlier this month.
Sources: 49ers Webzone
NFL Teams Have Until Sunday to Set 53-Man Rosters, Releasing Nearly 1,200 Players
NFL teams have until Sunday, August 30 at 6 p.m. ET to trim their rosters from 90 players to an initial 53-man group, setting off the most active transaction period of the offseason. Across the league, roughly 1,184 players will be released or traded over the next 48 hours. Notable early moves include the Cleveland Browns releasing wide receiver Cedric Tillman, the Arizona Cardinals cutting running back Trey Benson, and the Cincinnati Bengals waiving offensive tackle Cody Ford. Waived players will be available on the waiver wire through Monday, August 31 at 1 p.m. ET, after which unclaimed players become free agents.
Veteran Tight End Jonnu Smith Agrees to One-Year Deal With Green Bay Packers
Veteran tight end Jonnu Smith has signed a one-year contract with the Green Bay Packers, the team confirmed Thursday, adding an experienced pass-catcher to the offense ahead of the regular season. Smith, 30, is a proven contributor in both the passing game and as a blocker. The signing comes on the same day the Packers learned that running back Josh Jacobs is facing misdemeanor charges stemming from a domestic incident. Green Bay opens the 2026 season against the Arizona Cardinals at home — ironically, the same team they face in Friday's preseason finale under coach Mike LaFleur, the younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
AFC Divisions
Regular season begins September 9, 2026
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
2. Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
3. New England Patriots — 0–0–0
4. New York Jets — 0–0–0
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
2. Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0
3. Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
4. Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
AFC South
1. Houston Texans — 0–0–0
2. Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
4. Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
2. Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
3. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
NFC Divisions
Defending champs: Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl LX)
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
2. New York Giants — 0–0–0
3. Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
4. Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
2. Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
3. Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
4. Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
2. Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
3. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
2. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
4. Seattle Seahawks 🏆 — 0–0–0
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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