As a rookie from Auburn in 2019, quarterback Jarrett Stidham led the AFC in passing yards in the NFL preseason. He’s headed that way again.
On Saturday night, Stidham completed 16-of-23 passes for 240 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Denver Broncos’ 27-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
One week ago in the Broncos’ preseason opener, Stidham completed 14-of-15 passes for 136 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 30-9 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
In that game, Stidham came in after Denver’s No. 1 QB, Bo Nix, directed the Broncos’ first three possessions. On Saturday night, Stidham started for Denver and threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Troy Franklin in the first half – 27 yards with 1:14 left in the first quarter and 17 yards with 45 seconds left in the second quarter as the Broncos led 24-7 at halftime.
In the preseason opener, Stidham’s five possessions on the field produced two touchdowns and two field goals.
In the NFL’s other preseason games on Saturday night:
Tyler Loop kicked five field goals and Cooper Rush threw for 198 yards and a touchdown against his former team in the Baltimore Ravens’ 31-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Tampa Bay linebacker Antonio Grier Jr.’s 32-yard interception return to the Pittsburgh 36-yard line with 2:34 to play set up Chase McLaughlin’s 42-yard field goal on the final snap of the Buccaneers’ 17-14 victory over the Steelers.
Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tru Edwards with five seconds to play in a 23-22 victory over the Chargers. Video review turned a fumble lost by Bennett into an incomplete pass with 20 seconds to play. Bennett completed a 40-yard pass on the next snap, leaving just enough time for the game-winning touchdown.
Four quarterbacks combined to pass for 407 yards, including an 80-yard rookie-to-rookie connection between QB Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Beaux Collins, as the Giants defeated the Jets 31-12.
In addition to Stidham, 45 players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the NFL’s Saturday night preseason games:
Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker blocks during an NFL preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker blocks during an NFL preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Baltimore Ravens 31, Dallas Cowboys 13
Jalyn Armour-Davis (St. Paul’s Episcopal, Alabama) started at cornerback for the Ravens. Armour-Davis did not record any stats.
Tyler Booker (Alabama) started at right guard for the Cowboys in his first appearance in a Dallas uniform. Booker joined the Cowboys in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 24 and did not play in last week’s preseason opener.
Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham (Park Crossing) was targeted once and did not have a reception. Cunningham had one tackle on special teams.
Ravens guard Darrian Dalcourt (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) did not play.
Cowboys tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (Auburn) did not record any stats.
Ravens running back Derrick Henry (Alabama) did not play.
Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (Alabama) was targeted once and did not have a reception.
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama) did not play.
Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (Faith Academy) made seven tackles and broke up one pass.
Ravens defensive tackle Jayson Jones (Calera, Auburn) made one tackle.
Cowboys cornerback Christian Matthew, cornerback, Samford) made two tackles.
Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (Hoover) did not play.
Jalen Tolbert (McGill-Toolen, South Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Cowboys. Tolbert had a 2-yard reception.
Ravens offensive tackle Carson Vinson (Alabama A&M) did not record any stats.
Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery) started at defensive end for the Cowboys. Williams did not record any stats.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith catches the football during an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith catches the football during an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Rams 23, Los Angeles Chargers 22
Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama) started at center for the Chargers.
Chargers defensive back Trikweze Bridges (Lanett) tied for the team lead with eight tackles, including seven solo stops.
Chargers defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (Alabama) made two tackles.
Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (Alabama) recorded one tackle for loss.
Chargers long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn) handled the snaps for five punts, three field goals and one extra point.
Chargers running back Najee Harris (Alabama) did not play.
Rams defensive tackle Decarius Hawthorne (Center Point) did not record any stats.
Rams running back Jarquez Hunter (Auburn) ran for 55 yards on 15 carries and had a 2-yard reception.
Chargers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn) had two receptions for 66 yards – one for 37 yards and the other for 29. He also had a 2-yard punt return and one tackle on special teams.
Rams outside linebacker Jamil Muhammad (James Clemens) made three tackles.
Chargers cornerback Jordan Oladokun (Samford) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Chargers punter JK Scott (Alabama) averaged 42.6 yards on five punts, with a 42.2-yard net. Scott had a 47-yard punt for a fair catch at the Rams 8-yard line, a 59-yarder returned 2 yards to the Rams 14, a 50-yarder for a fair catch at the Rams 11, a 33-yarder out of bounds at the Rams 12 and a 24-yarder out of bounds at the Rams 25.
Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (Troy) ran for 16 yards on 10 carries.
Rams cornerback Darious Williams (UAB) did not play.
New York Jets wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett holds on to the football for a reception during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett holds on to the football for a reception during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.(AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants 31, New York Jets 12
Jets defensive line Byron Cowart (Auburn) did not play.
Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) started at cornerback for the Giants. Flott broke up one pass.
Jets defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) recorded one quarterback hit.
Jets defensive back Malachi Moore (Hewitt-Trussville, Alabama) made three tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.
Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) started at nose tackle for the Giants. Nunez-Roches made one tackle.
Jets wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett (Jackson, South Alabama) had two receptions for 10 yards and two punt returns for 7 yards.
Jamien Sherwood (Auburn) started at linebacker for the Jets. Sherwood made one tackle.Darius Slayton (Auburn) started at wide receiver for the Giants. Slayton did not record any stats.
Giants wide receiver Montrell Washington (Samford) had a 19-yard reception.
Quincy Williams (Wenonah) started at linebacker for the Jets. Williams did not record any stats.
Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) did not play.
Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (Hueytown) completed 6-of-11 passes for 110 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Winston scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:46 remaining to cap a nine-play, 65-yard drive. Winston’s other series at the helm of the Giants offense yielded a field goal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson returns a punt during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson returns a punt during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Buccaneers outside linebacker Chris Braswell (Alabama) made two tackles on defense, recorded one sack and had one tackle on special teams.
Jamel Dean (Auburn) started at cornerback for the Buccaneers. Dean made one tackle.
Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson (Pinson Valley, Troy) had four receptions for 24 yards and returned two punts for 37 yards (with all the yardage coming on one return) in his first appearance in a Tampa Bay uniform. Johnson joined the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft on April 26 and did not play in last week’s preseason opener. Johnson also lost a fumble.
Steelers linebackers Eku Leota (Auburn) made four tackles, recorded two tackles for loss and registered one quarterback hit.
Buccaneers running back Jase McClellan (Alabama) did not play. McClellan signed with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Steelers wide receiver Roc Taylor (Oxford) had three receptions for 39 yards.
Steelers cornerback Mikey Victor (Alabama State) did not record any stats.
Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (South Alabama) averaged 58.0 yards on three punts, with a 45.7-yard net. Waitman had a 60-yard punt returned 37 yards to the Tampa Bay 45-yard line, a 50-yarder downed at the Tampa Bay 12 and a 58-yarder muffed by Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson and recovered by Pittsburgh at the Tampa Bay 21. The turnover allowed the Steelers to score a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (right) and wide receiver Troy Franklin celebrate after they connected for a touchdown during an NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (right) and wide receiver Troy Franklin celebrate after they connected for a touchdown during an NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.(AP Photo/Eric Lutzens)
Denver Broncos 27, Arizona Cardinals 7
Kris Abrams-Draine (Spanish Fort) started at cornerback for the Broncos. Abrams-Draine made one tackle on defense and one on special teams.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (Pinson Valley, Auburn) did not play.
Tejhaun Palmer (UAB) started at wide receiver for the Cardinals. Palmer had a 6-yard reception.
Cardinals inside linebacker Owen Pappoe (Auburn) made three tackles and shared one sack.
Broncos outside linebacker Que Robinson (Jackson-Olin, Alabama) made two tackles.
Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Alabama) did not play.
Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) did not play.
Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (Ramsay, UAB) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Cardinals defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama) did not play.
Broncos guard Clay Webb (Oxford, Jacksonville State) did not record any stats.
Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams (Alabama) did not play.
Cardinals inside linebacker Mack Wilson (Carver-Montgomery, Alabama) did not play.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.
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