The National Football League returned tonight. Yes, there was a game last Thursday and on Wednesday night. That’s like being served a salad and rolls before a meal though. It can fill you up but it is not the main course.

Seven games were on Thursday night’s docket as the true first week of preseason action really got cranked up.

MINNESOTA 17, BUFFALO 10: Sammy Watkins played football and didn’t suffer a significant injury. That is a win for Buffalo. Sam Bradford, another injury prone type, was sacked twice. Vikings rookie running back Dalvin Cook caught four passes for 30 yards.

MIAMI 23, ATLANTA 20: Atlanta begins their Chicken Soup for the Soul season. Rich man Devonta Freeman scored on a 15-yard touchdown reception from Matt Ryan. Some guy named Damore’ea Stringfellow caught a 99-yard touchdown pass for Miami. Somewhere a fantasy football owner will overreact in a draft and take him. Falcons blow a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. Stop me if you’ve heard that before.

BALTIMORE 23, WASHINGTON 3: Ryan Mallett finished 9 of 18 for 58 yards and a scant passer rating of 57.2. However, the Ravens won in spite of that performance. If only there was another quarterback out there that they could sign…

JACKSONVILLE 31, NEW ENGLAND 24: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shocked the New England region by showing his face in Foxboroughshowing his face in Foxborough before the season opener. Meanwhile, nearly every relevant Patriot sat out including the G.O.A.T. (Brady). In other news, poor Cyrus Jones:

And another…

CLEVELAND 20, NEW ORLEANS 14: You know, if I didn’t know any better, it looks like the Browns have good football players this year…

Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer tossed a touchdown pass to help give Cleveland a victory.

DENVER 24, CHICAGO 17: I hope Mike Glennon rented housing and didn’t buy in Chicago. The Mitchell Trubisky Era is coming for him. Trubisky finished 18 of 25 for 166 yards and a touchdown. Glennon got pick-sixed by Denver’s Chris Harris. The whispers will get loud for Glennon’s job quickly.

Also, please remember this tweet as you watch Denver Broncos quarterbacking this year:

GREEN BAY 24, PHILADELPHIA 9: Matt McGloin threw 42 passes for the Eagles in a loss to the Packers. No NFL quarterback should attempt that many passes in a preseason game. That’s crazy. Carson Wentz led a touchdown drive to start matters for the Eagles early but they stunk after that. No Aaron Rodgers for Green Bay.