NFL roundup: Jack Plummer, Panthers outlast Bills
Jack Plummer completed 21 of 29 passes for 278 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Carolina Panthers held off the Buffalo Bills for a 31-26 victory in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Saturday in the preseason finale for both teams.
Plummer gave Carolina (1-2) a 31-19 lead when he found Jalen Coker for a 36-yard touchdown with 14:54 left in the game. It took Buffalo nearly 13 minutes to respond, as KJ Hamler rushed for a 1-yard score with 1:57 to go.
The Panthers faced a third-and-11 on the ensuing drive, but Plummer hit Coker for a 12-yard gain to put the Bills (1-2) to bed.
Bryce Young attempted eight passes for Carolina, completing six for 70 yards and a touchdown. Mike Boone found the end zone on the ground.
Frank Gore Jr. headlined Buffalo’s offense with 101 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Anthony Brown threw for 102 yards on 11-of-12 passing, and Ben DiNucci chipped in with 76 yards and a touchdown on 11-for-15 passing.
Lions 24, Steelers 17
Jermar Jefferson rushed for two touchdowns to help Detroit overcome a 14-point deficit against visiting Pittsburgh.
Jefferson scored from 1 and 7 yards out. Hendon Hooker ignited the Lions’ comeback with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jake Funk. Hooker completed 12 of 20 passes for 114 yards, the touchdown and an interception.
Cordarrelle Patterson ran for a 31-yard score and La’Mical Perine added a 1-yard scoring scamper to lift the Steelers (0-3) to a 14-0 lead with 6:05 remaining in the first quarter. Detroit (2-1) held Pittsburgh to one field goal the rest of the way.
Packers 30, Ravens 7
Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford each threw for a touchdown and host Green Bay rattled off 24 unanswered points to steamroll Baltimore.
The Ravens (1-2) were up 7-6 after Josh Johnson connected with Tylan Wallace for a 48-yard score with 11:21 left in the second quarter. But the Packers then completely took over, getting touchdown passes from Pratt and Clifford during their outburst.
Anthony Johnson Jr. returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown for Green Bay (2-1), which held Baltimore to 177 yards of total offense.
Vikings 26, Eagles 3
Will Reichard did enough with his leg to send visiting Minnesota past Philadelphia.
Reichard made good on four field goals, converting from 31, 33, 20 and 57 yards out. Jaren Hall put together a strong showing under center for the Vikings (3-0), throwing for 189 yards and two scores on 17-of-25 passing.
The Eagles (2-1) kept their offense out on the field for fourth down six times, and they never managed to pick up a first. Jake Elliott kicked a 41-yard field goal in the second quarter for Philadelphia’s only points.
Texans 17, Rams 15
Host Houston stuffed Zach Evans on a two-point conversion attempt with 3:15 left in regulation to beat Los Angeles.
Evans got the Rams (2-1) within two by rushing for a 3-yard TD, but he couldn’t get across the goal line on the next play. Evans finished with 45 yards and two scores on 14 carries.
Tim Boyle connected on 19 of 28 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns for the Texans (3-1).
