The first full week of the NFL Preseason came to an end on Saturday night, and it was more quarterbacks' debuts that took over the headlines in the league. First, it was former UCLA Bruin Josh Rosen making his Arizona Cardinals' debut in a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Rosen did not play the first series, but was in the rest of the first half and finished 6-of-13 for 41 yards.
Sam Bradford made his Cardinals' debut as the starter and completed his only pass for six yards. He did lead the team to a scoring drive in his only series played.
Phillip Rivers did not play, but Cardale Jones and Geno Smith were competing to be the veteran's backup. Jones started and threw 6-of-12 for 50 yards, while Smith took over and went an impressive 14-of-23 for 218 yards. That included a 47-yard touchdown pass to Geremy Davis, as well as one interception.
Another rookie that made a name in this game was the Cardinals' second-round draft pick out of Texas A&M, Christian Kirk. His highlight came early on when he set up a touchdown drive by returning a punt 38 yards in his first NFL touch. That included a sweet move past Chargers' punter, and his former teammate with the Aggies, Drew Kaser.
Meanwhile, Trevor Siemian played most of the day for the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night and haunted his former team. Siemian, playing against the Denver Broncos for the first time in his career and threw 11-of-17 for 165 yards and two touchdown passes. The Vikings earned the victory on the road on this night, 42-28.
Kirk Cousins did make his Vikings debut and was a perfect 4-for-4 and found Stefon Diggs for an early, one-yard touchdown pass in limited playing time. Former Viking Case Keenum made his Broncos debut, and did not have the same success, going 1-for-4 for just five yards over two drives.
Cousins signed an $84 million deal to join the Vikings this past off-season, which led to Keenum going elsewhere, as he received a $36 million deal from Denver. Keenum was under center for the Vikings' playoff run last season. Siemian was then traded away from the Broncos to the Vikings as Cousins' backup, so it just all comes together.
Sam Bradford made his Cardinals' debut as the starter and completed his only pass for six yards. He did lead the team to a scoring drive in his only series played.
Phillip Rivers did not play, but Cardale Jones and Geno Smith were competing to be the veteran's backup. Jones started and threw 6-of-12 for 50 yards, while Smith took over and went an impressive 14-of-23 for 218 yards. That included a 47-yard touchdown pass to Geremy Davis, as well as one interception.
Another rookie that made a name in this game was the Cardinals' second-round draft pick out of Texas A&M, Christian Kirk. His highlight came early on when he set up a touchdown drive by returning a punt 38 yards in his first NFL touch. That included a sweet move past Chargers' punter, and his former teammate with the Aggies, Drew Kaser.
Meanwhile, Trevor Siemian played most of the day for the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night and haunted his former team. Siemian, playing against the Denver Broncos for the first time in his career and threw 11-of-17 for 165 yards and two touchdown passes. The Vikings earned the victory on the road on this night, 42-28.
Kirk Cousins did make his Vikings debut and was a perfect 4-for-4 and found Stefon Diggs for an early, one-yard touchdown pass in limited playing time. Former Viking Case Keenum made his Broncos debut, and did not have the same success, going 1-for-4 for just five yards over two drives.
Cousins signed an $84 million deal to join the Vikings this past off-season, which led to Keenum going elsewhere, as he received a $36 million deal from Denver. Keenum was under center for the Vikings' playoff run last season. Siemian was then traded away from the Broncos to the Vikings as Cousins' backup, so it just all comes together.
