Keenum leads Vikings past Bills
Quarterback Case Keenum showed glimpses of being a capable backup in the Minnesota Vikings’ 17-10 preseason-opening win over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Taking over for starter Sam Bradford, Keenum went 11 of 16 for 121 yards. The sixth-year player engineered a pair of scoring drives — both set up by passes to rookie receiver Stacy Coley.
Keenum hit Cooley in stride over the middle on a crossing pattern for a 38-yard catch to set up Kai Forbath’s 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3 late in the second quarter.
On the opening drive of the second half, Keenum rolled to his right and hit Coley, a seventh-round pick out of Miami, who made a sliding catch at the Bills 2.
Fullback C.J. Ham scored on the next play to put Minnesota ahead, 10-3.
The Vikings signed Keenum in April as insurance with Teddy Bridgewater, who is still recovering from a serious left knee injury sustained a year ago.
Jaguars 31, Patriots 24: Chad Henne hit Keelan Cole on a 97-yard touchdown pass, Corey Grant scored on a 79-yard run and visiting Jacksonville feasted on a New England lineup without Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski — or much defense at all.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made his first visit to Gillette Stadium since suspending Brady for four games in the scandal that came to be known as “Deflategate.” Widely resented by New England fans, Goodell was in Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s luxury box.
Dolphins 23, Falcons 20: Undrafted rookie Damore’ea Stringfellow caught a 99-yard touchdown pass from David Fales in the fourth quarter as host Miami rallied to beat Atlanta.
The Dolphins’ exhibition season began badly. Second-round draft pick Raekwon McMillan, the frontrunner to start at middle linebacker, hurt his right knee on a punt return and walked to the locker room accompanied by trainers. Miami backup safety Walt Aikens also left the game in the first quarter with a back injury. Bryant cleared to practice: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant is a step closer to returning to the league full time. General manager Kevin Colbert said that Bryant has been cleared to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.
Bryant missed the entire 2016 season while serving a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Bryant was conditionally reinstated by the league in April, and he took part in organized team activities and minicamp.