In a game where the preseason stakes should have still kept things checked, the Las Vegas Bulls came out with fire and determination, annihilating the Atlanta Kings 24-7 at Atlanta’s home turf on August 28th. Head coach Jason Burton’s Bulls not only secured a decisive victory but sent a roaring message: this team isn’t playing around.

Right from the opening kickoff, it was clear the Bulls meant business. After the Atlanta Kings won the toss and deferred, Las Vegas’ special teams made their presence felt with a series of booming punts by Joseph Rains, consistently flipping field position and rattling the Kings’ rhythm. Rains, who punted multiple times with distances hitting or exceeding 44 yards, was a reliable weapon, underscoring how Las Vegas is built from the ground up to dominate field position.

The scoreboard finally broke in the first quarter with a Michael Thomas field goal from 48 yards out, putting the Bulls ahead 3-0. While kicks are often subtle in impact, this successful strike was a cerebral nod to Las Vegas’ precision, a theme that would carry on.

The second quarter was a masterclass from QB Garry Griggs, who sliced through the Kings’ defense with surgical precision, completing 13 of 17 passes and racking up 228 yards and three touchdowns. His biggest statement came on a spectacular 54-yard strike to Morris Whitford. Whitford, already a standout with 116 receiving yards and two rushing touchdowns, broke down the cornerback for a scintillating score that gave the Bulls a 9-0 lead before Thomas added the extra point to extend it to 10-0.

Whitford’s dual-threat ability was on full display. Adding two rushing touchdowns on top of his receiving heroics, Whitford epitomized the dynamic, multifaceted offense Jason Burton has been crafting—one that’s both ruthless and versatile.

On the other side of the ball, the Bulls’ defense was nothing short of relentless. They harried the Kings’ QB all night, piling up five sacks and forcing a critical fumble that linebacker Chris Castleberry pounced on; Castleberry also earned a sack and forced fumble of his own, embodying the defensive grit that frustrated Atlanta at every turn. The Kings never found their footing offensively, failing to convert a single third down and being held to a tenuous 70 rushing yards across 23 carries.

Atlanta’s lone touchdown was a token gesture in the face of utter Bulls dominance and came too late to change the narrative.

Despite the Kings’ 29 completions on 41 attempts, they were sorely ineffective in stacking points, thanks in large part to Las Vegas’ aggressive coverage and pressure.

Jason Burton’s Bulls left no doubt—they’re ready to be a nightmare for the rest of the league. This wasn’t just a preseason win; it was a statement of intent.

Owner IoanBlood, perhaps summing up the night best, remarked, “Watching Griggs carve through that defense and Whitford’s unstoppable runs, this team showed the hunger and fire I expect. That fumble recovery by Castleberry sealed the momentum. We’re not just here to play; we’re here to dominate.”

If this preseason form is a glimpse, the Bulls are gearing up for a season of brutal, confident football that will rattle their opponents and thrill their fans. Burton’s blueprint is clear, and Las Vegas is ready to roar louder than ever.