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NFL preseason: Top moments from Friday night's action

Updated Aug. 27, 2021 11:50 p.m. ET

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As the NFL preseason enters its final weekend, the action kicked off with four games Friday night.

First, the Indianapolis Colts traveled to Detroit to face the Lions, with the Colts looking to finish the preseason undefeated and the Lions looking to avoid going winless.

It was the Colts who achieved their goal, winning 27-17 and finishing the preseason 3-0 with some nice momentum heading into the season.

Soon after that game's kickoff, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers took the field in a game that was never in question, with the Panthers winning emphatically, 34-9.

Next up, the Minnesota Vikings visited Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Chiefs held down their home field with a 28-25 win.

But the game of the night was played between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets — after it was delayed by inclement weather.

The two teams delivered a thriller that ended with a Jets Hail Mary and two-point conversion before a 31-31 tie.

Not a bad way to start the weekend.

Here are the top moments from Friday:

Indianapolis Colts 27, Detroit Lions 17

Making them Paye

If Kwity Paye is going to make plays like these all season, the Colts will see adequate return on their investment in their 2021 first-round pick.

The rookie defensive end wreaked havoc on the opening drive of the game for the Lions, recording a sack and forced fumble, which the Colts recovered. They then scored a field goal for a 3-0 lead.

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Fighting back

The Lions' offense was not deterred by the early turnover, responding with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown.

The score came courtesy of a 15-yard Quintez Cephus reception.

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Magic act

Is that Sam Ehlinger at quarterback for the Colts, or is that Houdini?

This disappearing act to avoid the sack and set up a long completion makes you wonder.

Quarterback swap, same results

The Colts switched to Brett Hundley at QB in the fourth quarter, and he produced highlight plays just like Ehlinger before him.

Hundley rolled outside the pocket to complete a touchdown pass before the Colts converted their two-point attempt to tie the game 17-17.

Closing the door

The Colts then ran off 10 more points to seal a 27-17 lead with this 41-yard touchdown run by Deon Jackson.

Carolina Panthers 34, Pittsburgh Steelers 9

Weapons galore

Sam Darnold and the Panthers' offense have a lot of weapons at their disposal this season. Wide receiver D.J. Moore figures to play a prominent role in that offense, and he and Darnold are already building chemistry on the field.

Later in the first half, rookie second-round pick Terrace Marshall Jr. found the end zone for his first touchdown of the preseason.

Opportunistic

The Panthers' offense figures to be the strength of the team this season, but their defense has playmakers as well.

Look no further than this interception by Brian Burns for proof.

For more up-to-date news on all things Panthers, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

Pass-happy

Moore and Marshall have been building a connection with Darnold this preseason, but Robby Anderson already has familiarity with the quarterback from their time on the Jets.

That familiarity manifested right before halftime, with a touchdown from the duo.

New half, same story

The Panthers started the second half the same way they ended the first: by putting points on the board.

This time, they found the end zone on the ground via a 20-yard rushing touchdown from Spencer Brown.

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Philadelphia Eagles 31, New York Jets 31

Stuck in quicksand

Eagles running back Boston Scott left the Jets' defense stuck in their tracks on this touchdown reception, freezing the safety on his way to scoring.

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Dropping a dime

The Jets didn't take long to get on the board, putting together a 12-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a picture-perfect touchdown pass from Josh Johnson to Lawrence Cager.

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Vintage Flacco

Joe Flacco turned back the hands of time late in the second quarter with a 42-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.

It was the QB's second touchdown pass of the first half.

Taking off

Down but not out, the Jets managed to cut the Eagles' lead to one late in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard connection between James Morgan and Kenny Yeboah.

One last push

The Eagles extended their lead to 31-23 with a fumble returned for a touchdown after the Jets' failed two-point attempt, but Gang Green would not go down without a fight.

Morgan and Yeboah connected once again on a touchdown, this time a last-second Hail Mary. The Jets also successfully converted their two-point attempt to end the game tied 31-31.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs

No mercy

Starters, let alone All-Pro players, usually don't see much playing time in the preseason, but the Chiefs didn't get that memo.

Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill hooked up for a bomb reminiscent of a highlight you would see from the duo in November, rather than late August.

For more up-to-date news on all things Chiefs, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

Going all the way

Derrick Gore is on the roster as a running back, but he showed off his ability to make plays in the passing game with this 56-yard touchdown.

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Despite a late attempt from the Vikings to make it a game, the Chiefs held on to win 28-25.

For more up-to-date news on all things NFL, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

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National Football League

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers

Carolina Panthers

Philadelphia Eagles

New York Jets

Patrick Mahomes

Tyreek Hill

Sam Darnold

DJ Moore

Terrace Marshall Jr.

Kwity Paye

Boston Scott

Josh Johnson

Lawrence Cager

Sam Ehlinger

Robbie Chosen

Joe Flacco

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside

Spencer Brown

Brett Hundley

Derrick Gore

James Morgan

Kenny Yeboah

Deon Jackson