The Minnesota Vikings recorded a 26-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their pre-season clash today.
The Buccaneers started first overall pick in 2015 Draft Jameis Winston at quarterback and he threw an interception when he was picked off by Antone Exum in the first quarter.
Mike Zimmer's men took the lead as Blair Walsh kicked a 46-yard field goal, while Zach Line rushed in for a one-yard touchdown. The NFC South responded with a field goal from Patrick Murray.
The Vikings extended their advantage as Shaun Hill threw two touchdown strikes to Cordarrelle Patterson and Adam Thielen before Winston recorded his first NFL score when he leapt into the endzone for an eight-yard touchdown to bring his side back into the game.
Walsh added another field goal to put the Vikings beyond the reach of the Buccaneers, but Mike James scored a consolation rushing score in the fourth quarter.
The Atlanta Falcons scored a late touchdown to defeat the Tennessee Titans 31-24 in their pre-season clash.
The Falcons raced into a 17-0 lead in the first quarter as Matt Ryan connected with Julio Jones in the endzone and Paul Worrilow returned a fumble for a score, while Matt Bryant added a field.
The AFC South side responded in the second quarter when Dexter McCluster ran in from six yards and Zach Mettenberger found Rico Richardson for a 35-yard touchdown. However, Antone Smith scored again for the home side to give them a 10-point lead at the break.
Antonio Andrews scored a one-yard touchdown and Ryan Succop added a field goal to level the game in the fourth quarter, but Michael Ford secured the win for the Falcons with a rushing score.
The Houston Texans eased past the San Francisco 49ers in their pre-season friendly, despite an impressive debut from Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne.
Hayne recorded 63 yards in his five carries, including one rush of 53 yards at NRG Stadium before his night was ended by the club's coaching staff.
The Texans took the lead in the first quarter through Cecil Shorts as he collected Brian Hoyer's pass to run in for a 58-yard score, while they added a two-point conversion.
Jim Tomsula's men rallied in the second quarter to take the lead when Blaine Gabbert found Garrett Celek in the endzone and Phil Dawson kicked a 37-yard field goal.
However, Jaelen Strong put the Texans back in front after collecting Tom Savage's pass, while the home side then notched a safety as Jason Ankrah sacked Dylan Thompson in his own endzone. Randy Bullock confirmed the Texans' win when he added two field goals late in the game.
The Kansas City Chiefs came from behind to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 34-19 at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Andre Ellington scored a two-yard touchdown to put the home side ahead and Chandler Catanzaro added a field goal to extend their lead to 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Cairo Santos hit back with a 48-yard field goal for the Chiefs, and they took the lead though two strikes from quarterback Chase Daniel to Fred Williams and Frankie Hammond respectively.
Da'Ron Brown notched another touchdown for Kansas City and Darrin Reaves ran in for a one-yard score to extend their advantage.
The Cardinals hit back with a two-point safety after Rodney Gunter sacked Aaron Murray in the endzone, but Santos added another field goal to ensure the visitors' win, despite a touchdown from Travis Harvey.
The Philadelphia Eagles eased to a 36-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in their pre-season contest.
Adam Vinatieri put the Colts ahead with a 32-yard field goal, but the Eagles responded as Mark Sanchez found Nelson Agholor in the endzone, while Kenjon Barner added a nine-yard rushing score for the hosts in the first quarter.
Cody Parkey fired a 40-yard field goal to extend the Eagles' lead, and Barner notched his second score of the match with a 92-yard punt return.
Parkey added another field goal at the start of the third quarter, but Josh Robinson hit back for the Colts with a nine-yard rushing touchdown.
Chip Kelly's men secured their win when Parkey added his fourth kick of the game, before Tim Tebow – playing his first game in two years – rushed in from seven yards.
Pre-season results in full: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-26 Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans 24-31 Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers 10-23 Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs 34-19 Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts 10-36 Philadelphia Eagles
